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Lot Essay
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Aileen Dawson, Portrait Sculpture, A catalogue of the British Museum Collection c.1675-1975, British Museum Press, 1999.
A comparable bust of William Pitt was sold Christie's London, 7 December 1993, lot 88, signed and dated 'Nollekens Ft. 1807'.
William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806), was appointed Prime Miniser in 1783 at the age of 24. He had been highly critical of George III's influence and manipulation of those in Parliament and during his time served to weaken the monarchy's authority. His great adversary during his career was Charles James Fox, although both fought for parliamentary reforms towards greater liberty. He was finally ousted from power in 1801.
Pitt projected the image of severe austerity and was known for his incisive and cool manner. He also suffered greatly from ill health, from 1773 he was prescribed a remedial bottle of port a day to cure his gout. He was also badly in debt for most of his life and died with debts amounting to £40,000. His last words are variously reported as being, 'Oh, my country! how I leave my country!' or 'I think I could eat one of Bellamy's veal pies'.
Nollekens and his workshop are said to have produced over seventy replicas of this celebrated bust. Pitt refused to sit for the artist, so the likeness is taken from his death mask in 1806. The busts, sold at £120 each, and provided Nollekens with a steady income.
Aileen Dawson, Portrait Sculpture, A catalogue of the British Museum Collection c.1675-1975, British Museum Press, 1999.
A comparable bust of William Pitt was sold Christie's London, 7 December 1993, lot 88, signed and dated 'Nollekens Ft. 1807'.
William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806), was appointed Prime Miniser in 1783 at the age of 24. He had been highly critical of George III's influence and manipulation of those in Parliament and during his time served to weaken the monarchy's authority. His great adversary during his career was Charles James Fox, although both fought for parliamentary reforms towards greater liberty. He was finally ousted from power in 1801.
Pitt projected the image of severe austerity and was known for his incisive and cool manner. He also suffered greatly from ill health, from 1773 he was prescribed a remedial bottle of port a day to cure his gout. He was also badly in debt for most of his life and died with debts amounting to £40,000. His last words are variously reported as being, 'Oh, my country! how I leave my country!' or 'I think I could eat one of Bellamy's veal pies'.
Nollekens and his workshop are said to have produced over seventy replicas of this celebrated bust. Pitt refused to sit for the artist, so the likeness is taken from his death mask in 1806. The busts, sold at £120 each, and provided Nollekens with a steady income.