Unknown Man
Bust
1827 (made)
1827 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This wax bust represents an unknown man looking to the right wearing classical style drapery.
Wax portraits had become popular during the 18th century in Britain, but some artists continued the tradition in this material during the early 19th century, especially before the invention of photography. They were often modelled from the life; a mould could be made from this initial model, from which further copies could be cast. The waxes were small and portable, and the nature of the material meant that they were extremely naturalistic. Sometimes they were coloured, and extra items added, such as textiles, seed pearls or coloured glass, to increase the life-like appearance of the portrayal.
Wax portraits had become popular during the 18th century in Britain, but some artists continued the tradition in this material during the early 19th century, especially before the invention of photography. They were often modelled from the life; a mould could be made from this initial model, from which further copies could be cast. The waxes were small and portable, and the nature of the material meant that they were extremely naturalistic. Sometimes they were coloured, and extra items added, such as textiles, seed pearls or coloured glass, to increase the life-like appearance of the portrayal.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Unknown Man |
| Materials and techniques | Wax |
| Brief description | Bust, wax, Nathaniel Palmer, English, 1827 |
| Physical description | Wax bust. Man looking to the right wearing classical style drapery. Bust is on a stand mounted on a square pedestal. |
| Credit line | Rupert Gunnis Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Rupert Gunnis. |
| Production | Previously attributed to T. Flint. |
| Summary | This wax bust represents an unknown man looking to the right wearing classical style drapery. Wax portraits had become popular during the 18th century in Britain, but some artists continued the tradition in this material during the early 19th century, especially before the invention of photography. They were often modelled from the life; a mould could be made from this initial model, from which further copies could be cast. The waxes were small and portable, and the nature of the material meant that they were extremely naturalistic. Sometimes they were coloured, and extra items added, such as textiles, seed pearls or coloured glass, to increase the life-like appearance of the portrayal. |
| Bibliographic reference | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.79:0-1965 |
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| Record created | March 16, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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