Not currently on display at the V&A

Inigo Jones

Bust
ca. 1800 - ca. 1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This terracotta bust representing Inigo Jones is sculpted after John Michael Rysbrack. The subject is derived from a portrait of Inigo Jones by Van Dyck (1599-1641).

According to the donor J. Whitehead this bust was originally positioned on the water-gate of the Thames near the Savoy, London, and may well have had a commemorative purpose.

Though historically attributed to Rysbrack and dated around 1725-27, recent conservation analysis has revealed the bust to be made of painted cement, not terracotta as originally thought. For this reason, it is more likely to date from the nineteenth century, though based on earlier representations of Inigo Jones by Rysbrack.

Inigo Jones was one of the first great English architects. He is known primarily for introducing the Palladian style into England from Venice. In 1606 James I employed him to design scenery and costumes for masques written by Ben Johnson and performed at Court. In 1615 he was appointed Surveyor General of the Royal Buildings. His most important London buildings are the Queen's House, Greenwich (1616-1635) and the Banqueting House in Whitehall (1622). His influence was curtailed by the English Civil War, but his work became popular again among the 18th century architects, who had a renewed interest in the work of Palladio.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleInigo Jones (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted cement
Brief description
Bust, painted cement, representing Inigo Jones, after John Michael Rysbrack, England, ca. 1800-1850
Physical description
Bust representing Inigo Jones (b. 1572; d. 1651), the architect. The head turned to the right and looking upward; wearing a soft cap over long hair, and a coat with falling collar.
Dimensions
  • Height: 68.58cm
Credit line
Given by J. Whitehead
Object history
According to the donor this bust was originally positioned on the water-gate of the Thames near the Savoy, London, and may well have had a commemorative purpose.
Though historically attributed to Rysbrack and dated to around 1725-1727, recent observation analysis has revealed the bust to be made of painted cement, not terracotta, as originally thought. For this reason it is more likely to date from the 19th century, though based on the earlier representations on Inigo Jones by Rysbrack.
Given by J. Whitehead Esq., Mayes, East Grinstead, in 1905.
Historical context
The subject is derived from a portrait of Inigo Jones by Van Dyck (1599-1641)
Production
Though historically attributed to Rysbrack and dated around 1725-27, recent conservation analysis has revealed the bust to be made of painted cement, not terracotta as originally thought. For this reason, it is more likely to date from the nineteenth century, though based on earlier representations of Inigo Jones by Rysbrack.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This terracotta bust representing Inigo Jones is sculpted after John Michael Rysbrack. The subject is derived from a portrait of Inigo Jones by Van Dyck (1599-1641).

According to the donor J. Whitehead this bust was originally positioned on the water-gate of the Thames near the Savoy, London, and may well have had a commemorative purpose.

Though historically attributed to Rysbrack and dated around 1725-27, recent conservation analysis has revealed the bust to be made of painted cement, not terracotta as originally thought. For this reason, it is more likely to date from the nineteenth century, though based on earlier representations of Inigo Jones by Rysbrack.

Inigo Jones was one of the first great English architects. He is known primarily for introducing the Palladian style into England from Venice. In 1606 James I employed him to design scenery and costumes for masques written by Ben Johnson and performed at Court. In 1615 he was appointed Surveyor General of the Royal Buildings. His most important London buildings are the Queen's House, Greenwich (1616-1635) and the Banqueting House in Whitehall (1622). His influence was curtailed by the English Civil War, but his work became popular again among the 18th century architects, who had a renewed interest in the work of Palladio.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1905, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 103
  • Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, pp. 142-143, cat.no. 196
  • Webb, M. Michael Rysbrack Sculptor, London, 1954, pp. 104, 218
Collection
Accession number
488-1905

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Record createdDecember 11, 2008
Record URL
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