Tag Archives: Liverpool

‘Gibson of Rome’

John Gibson RA: A British Sculptor in Rome, Tennant Gallery and Council Room, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1, until 18th December 2016

John Gibson, R.A. (1790-1866) Sleeping Shepherd Boy 1818 Bequeathed by John Gibson, R.A., 1866 Plaster 110.50 x 47.0 x 94.0 cm Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London

John Gibson, R.A. (1790-1866)
Sleeping Shepherd Boy
1818
Bequeathed by John Gibson, R.A., 1866
Plaster
110.50 x 47.0 x 94.0 cm
Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London

It is a hundred and fifty years since the death of John Gibson RA (1790-1866) who was a leading neoclassical sculptor of his time. He was born in the Welsh town of Conwy but when still a child moved with his family to Liverpool. He was enthralled by Ancient Greek and Roman Art from an early age and his artistic talent and enthusiasm was recognised by a group of supporters who raised the wherewithal for him to go on a study trip to Italy in 1817.

John Gibson, R.A. (1790-1866) Cupid pursuing Psyche Before 1843 Bequeathed by John Gibson, R.A., 1866 Marble relief 72.40 x 103.50 x 10.50 cm Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London

John Gibson, R.A. (1790-1866)
Cupid pursuing Psyche
Before 1843
Bequeathed by John Gibson, R.A., 1866
Marble relief
72.40 x 103.50 x 10.50 cm
Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London

In Rome he was able to study under the leading sculptor of the day, Antonio Canova and was urged by him to set up a studio in Rome.  Gibson did so and thanks to a European clientele decided to settle there saying: ‘In England my life would be spent in making busts and statues of great men in coats and neckties; here I am employed upon poetical subjects which demand the exercise of the imagination, and the knowledge of the beautiful.’.  His sculptures were also popular in this country where he was known as ‘Gibson of Rome’ and by 1844 (the year of his first return visit) he counted the Queen and Prince Albert among his patrons. In 1836 he was elected as a Royal Academician.

Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A. (1802-1873) Portrait of John Gibson, R.A. ca.1850 Bequeathed by Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A., 1874 92.50 x 72.0 x 2.50 cm Oil on canvas Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London; Photographer: John Hammond

Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A. (1802-1873)
Portrait of John Gibson, R.A.
ca.1850
Bequeathed by Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A., 1874
92.50 x 72.0 x 2.50 cm
Oil on canvas
Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London; Photographer: John Hammond

He had bequeathed his artworks to the Royal Academy on his death in 1866 and works on show in this exhibition and others on display at Bodelwyddan Castle, Denbighshire, Wales are part of this significant bequest.

John Gibson, R.A. (1790-1866) Monument to Lady Leicester: Angel carrying infant and leading mother to heaven ca.1844 Bequeathed by John Gibson, R.A., 1866 Plaster cast 181.0 x 126.50 x 18.0 cm Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London

John Gibson, R.A. (1790-1866)
Monument to Lady Leicester: Angel carrying infant and leading mother to heaven
ca.1844
Bequeathed by John Gibson, R.A., 1866
Plaster cast
181.0 x 126.50 x 18.0 cm
Photo credit: (c) Royal Academy of Arts, London

This exhibition is complemented by a virtual exhibition ‘The Gibson Trail’ which has images and information on over one hundred and fifty objects in the collections of the Royal Academy, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Britain, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, the National Portrait Gallery and Buckingham Palace. The website www.gibson-trail.uk includes an interactive map showing the locations of Gibson’s works in the capital.

The Tennant Gallery and Council Room Dates and Opening Hours Exhibition open to the public: 8 September – 18 December 2016 Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 4pm Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm Closed Monday

 www.royalacademy.org.uk

KOOPMAN

Art in Industry: The Silver of Paul Storr, Koopman Rare Art, 53-64 Chancery Lane, London WC2, until 31st October 2015

The name of Paul Storr will be familiar to many of you who are interested in antique silver and this spectacular exhibition features over two hundred pieces and in fact traces his entire career from an early set of George III salts (1791/92) to Victorian pieces inspired by his designs after he had retired in 1838.

The Gladstone Dinner Service, London 1824 Silver, Maker’s mark of Paul Storr Provenance: Presented to Sir John Gladstone (1764-1851) on Monday, 18 October 1824, following a public subscription raised by the people of Liverpool, thence by descent. This magnificent silver dinner service, commissioned by the people of Liverpool from Paul Storr, was presented to Sir John Gladstone (1764-1851) on Monday 18 October 1824, by the townspeople of Liverpool, to celebrate his role in the promotion of the trade and commerce of the city. Photograph shows part of the dinner service.

The Gladstone Dinner Service, London 1824
Silver, Maker’s mark of Paul Storr
Provenance: Presented to Sir John Gladstone (1764-1851) on Monday, 18 October 1824, following a public subscription raised by the people of Liverpool, thence by descent.
This magnificent silver dinner service, commissioned by the people of Liverpool from Paul Storr, was presented to Sir John Gladstone (1764-1851) on Monday 18 October 1824, by the townspeople of Liverpool, to celebrate his role in the promotion of the trade and commerce of the city.
Photograph shows part of the dinner service.

As director Timo Koopman explains: “Storr is a byword for quality in silver. In the 21st century silver is regarded as a luxurious accessory to elegant living, whereas 200 years ago it was an absolute necessity and required a major capital investment. Silver was the ultimate status symbol, today’s equivalent of a private yacht, jet or top quality car.”

The wonderful thing about this silver is its patina which results from it being used, often on a daily basis.  Storr made silver for the great and good of his era whether royal, noble, a military hero or just plain wealthy.

Royal George III presentation tray, London, 1815. Maker’s mark of Paul Storr for Rundell Bridge & Rundell Designed by Thomas Stothard Presentation from H.R.H. The Prince Regent to General Thomas Garth, 2nd May 1816 Length: 32 7/8 in (83.5cm) over handles, Weight: 313oz. 1 dwt (9,749gr) The case: 35in (89cm)

Royal George III presentation tray, London, 1815.
Maker’s mark of Paul Storr for Rundell Bridge & Rundell
Designed by Thomas Stothard
Presentation from H.R.H. The Prince Regent to General Thomas Garth, 2nd May 1816
Length: 32 7/8 in (83.5cm) over handles, Weight: 313oz. 1 dwt (9,749gr)
The case: 35in (89cm)

The silver scholar Christopher Hartop, author of a new book on Storr, says: “Storr’s amazing achievement was the sheer scale of his activity, and the ingenious way he merged creative talent and cutting-edge technology. He was a gifted entrepreneur with a flair for spotting the best artists, including celebrated painters and sculptors as well as designers, draughtsmen and modellers. Fine art and the ‘plastic arts’ were united as never before. In addition Storr’s use of innovative technology is breath-taking; it was the Microsoft of its day and meant that silver was available to a much wider client base”.

An outstanding and exceptionally rare set of four silver William IV figural salt cellars by Paul Storr - London 1832 These are of the highest quality in every aspect, as one would certainly expect from the best pieces made by Paul Storr during this period. Total weight approximately 128oz troy Height 6 1/4in (15.75cm); diameter :4 1/2in (11.5cm).

An outstanding and exceptionally rare set of four silver William IV figural salt cellars by Paul Storr – London 1832
These are of the highest quality in every aspect, as one would certainly expect from the best pieces made by Paul Storr during this period.
Total weight approximately 128oz troy
Height 6 1/4in (15.75cm); diameter :4 1/2in (11.5cm).

http://www.koopmanrareart.com

 

The associated book is Art in Industry: The Silver of Paul Storr by Christopher Hartop £45 (ISBN: 978 1 898565 14 7) http://www.johnadamsonbooks.com