We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: A.26-2000
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

Duchess of Somerset

Bust
1866 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This plaster bust represents the Duchess of Somerset (perhaps Lady Emily Somerset) and is made by William Behnes (1794/5-1864) in England in 1866.
William Behnes (b. 1794/5-1864) was the son of a Hanoverian pianoforte maker living in London. Behnes commenced studies at the Royal Academy. He probably began work as an independent sculptor around 1819. He was very successful and well respected for the execution of his busts. Behnes exhibited constantly at the Royal Academy between 1815 and 1863, but died almost destitute, having been declared bankrupt in 1861.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDuchess of Somerset (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Plaster
Brief description
Bust, plaster, 'Duchess of Somerset' (perhaps Lady Emily Somerset), by William Behnes, England, 1866
Dimensions
  • Height: 77cm
Object history
On loan from the sculptor, William Behnes from a date prior to 1870, this is probably one of the four 'Plaster busts, &c' described as lent by 'the late W. Behnes, Esq.' to the Museum prior to 1870. As a redundant loan the present piece was formally accessioned by the Sculpture Department in 2000.
Production
Perhaps of Lady Emily Somerset
Summary
This plaster bust represents the Duchess of Somerset (perhaps Lady Emily Somerset) and is made by William Behnes (1794/5-1864) in England in 1866.
William Behnes (b. 1794/5-1864) was the son of a Hanoverian pianoforte maker living in London. Behnes commenced studies at the Royal Academy. He probably began work as an independent sculptor around 1819. He was very successful and well respected for the execution of his busts. Behnes exhibited constantly at the Royal Academy between 1815 and 1863, but died almost destitute, having been declared bankrupt in 1861.
Bibliographic reference
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, p. 192, cat.no. 272
Other number
Behnes Loan.1 - Previous loan number
Collection
Accession number
A.26-2000

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 14, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSON