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Lot Essay
The present marble bust was the model from which Chantrey made the portrait head for his colossal bronze equestrian monument to Sir Thomas Munro in Chennai, India. Munro arrived in India as a soldier in 1789, and fought with distinction in the Anglo-Mysore Wars, eventually becoming appointed the Governer of Madras in 1820, serving until his death from cholera in 1827.
Munro was one of the most popular British administrators in South India, and is credited with having introduced the Ryotwari System and drafting an education policy for the Madras Presidency. He also supported a larger share for natives in the administration of India, and when the news of Munro's death reached Madras, he was mourned by all classes of people in the city. A proposal to erect a statue to Munro through public subscription raised a large sum, enough to cover the costs of Chantrey's acclaimed statue that was shipped to India and erected at The Island in Chennai in 1839.
The present marble bust was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1840 and gifted to Lady Munro by the artist. It has descended in the family to the late owners.
Munro was one of the most popular British administrators in South India, and is credited with having introduced the Ryotwari System and drafting an education policy for the Madras Presidency. He also supported a larger share for natives in the administration of India, and when the news of Munro's death reached Madras, he was mourned by all classes of people in the city. A proposal to erect a statue to Munro through public subscription raised a large sum, enough to cover the costs of Chantrey's acclaimed statue that was shipped to India and erected at The Island in Chennai in 1839.
The present marble bust was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1840 and gifted to Lady Munro by the artist. It has descended in the family to the late owners.