Lot Essay
William Theed 1804 - 1891.
This highly acclaimed Staffordshire born sculptor attended the Royal Academy schools and also worked for five years in the studio of E.H. Baily. In 1820 he won the Silver Palette from the Society of Arts for a figure of Hercules and in 1822, their silver Isis medal.
In 1826 Theed went to Rome and studied under Gibson, Wyatt and the pre-eminent Danish sculptor Thörwaldsen. In 1844 the Prince Consort asked John Gibson (q.v.) to send him designs by English sculptors working in Rome for marble statues to be placed in Osborne House, the Isle of Wight. Two designs by Theed were accepted and in 1848 he returned to London.
In 1856 Theed made a 'series of variegated marble pedestals and busts of classic form' for the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, London, two reliefs for the banqueting-room, and others of 'The Birth of Venus' and Venus bringing Armour to Achilles for the dining-room gallery. He also carved four other classical busts for the palace in the same year.
After having executed the busts for Osborne house and upon his return to London, he was to receive a large number of commissions, chiefly for public statues. The present busts show Theeds ability to interpret Classical subjects in a most competent way, with fine attention to finish and composition.
This highly acclaimed Staffordshire born sculptor attended the Royal Academy schools and also worked for five years in the studio of E.H. Baily. In 1820 he won the Silver Palette from the Society of Arts for a figure of Hercules and in 1822, their silver Isis medal.
In 1826 Theed went to Rome and studied under Gibson, Wyatt and the pre-eminent Danish sculptor Thörwaldsen. In 1844 the Prince Consort asked John Gibson (q.v.) to send him designs by English sculptors working in Rome for marble statues to be placed in Osborne House, the Isle of Wight. Two designs by Theed were accepted and in 1848 he returned to London.
In 1856 Theed made a 'series of variegated marble pedestals and busts of classic form' for the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, London, two reliefs for the banqueting-room, and others of 'The Birth of Venus' and Venus bringing Armour to Achilles for the dining-room gallery. He also carved four other classical busts for the palace in the same year.
After having executed the busts for Osborne house and upon his return to London, he was to receive a large number of commissions, chiefly for public statues. The present busts show Theeds ability to interpret Classical subjects in a most competent way, with fine attention to finish and composition.