King John (r. 1199-1216) handing the Magna Carta to the barons
Relief
ca. 1800 - ca. 1820 (carved)
ca. 1800 - ca. 1820 (carved)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This British marble relief represents the famous signing of the Magna Carta (the Great Charter) by King John in June 1215 at Runnymede, Surrey. This document (which the king actually impressed with the royal seal rather than 'signed') is a celebrated symbol in Britain of the curbing of excessive royal power. The scene at Runnymede is a common subject in 19th-century art. The original function of this relief is unknown; it may have been an independent piece, but possibly was the central relief for a chimneypiece.
John (1167–1216), King of England, and Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and of Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, was the youngest son of Henry II (1133–1189) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (c.1122–1204).
John (1167–1216), King of England, and Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and of Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, was the youngest son of Henry II (1133–1189) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (c.1122–1204).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | King John (r. 1199-1216) handing the Magna Carta to the barons (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Marble in gilt frame |
| Brief description | Relief, marble in a gilt frame, King John (r. 1199-1216) handing the Magna Carta to the barons, unknown artist, British, ca. 1800-20 |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | Bequeathed by John Jones as part of the Jones Bequest in 1882. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | This British marble relief represents the famous signing of the Magna Carta (the Great Charter) by King John in June 1215 at Runnymede, Surrey. This document (which the king actually impressed with the royal seal rather than 'signed') is a celebrated symbol in Britain of the curbing of excessive royal power. The scene at Runnymede is a common subject in 19th-century art. The original function of this relief is unknown; it may have been an independent piece, but possibly was the central relief for a chimneypiece. John (1167–1216), King of England, and Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and of Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, was the youngest son of Henry II (1133–1189) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (c.1122–1204). |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1153-1882 |
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| Record created | January 9, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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