William Cavendish, Seventh Duke of Devonshire (1808-1891): M.1-1908

Current Location: In storage

Titles

William Cavendish, Seventh Duke of Devonshire (1808-1891)

Maker(s)

Entities

Figure

Description

Bronze, cast from model for bronze statue at Eastbourne (1901). Full-length, seated, turned front, facing and looking half right, left hand hanging beside the chair, holding a book, right hand on chair-arm, in robes of Chancellor of University. Bare-headed; bushy side-whiskers. Wears court dress with bands, collar of the Garter with the Garter George over robes, the Garter round left leg, feet resting on a footstool. Heavy carved chair. Signed on chair right: 'W.Goscombe John.A.R.A.' Mounted on a marble plinth incised with inscription.

Notes

History note: Commissioned from the sculptor by the Committee and subscribers; given by the Committee and subscribers to the University of Cambridge, and placed in the Fitzwilliam Museum (Grace 1 & 2, Feb. 1908).

Legal notes

Given to the University by the Committee and Subscribers and placed in the Fitzwilliam Museum

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1908)

Dating

Edward VII
20th Century, Early
Production date: AD 1907

Note

Born in Cardiff, Goscombe John studied under the French sculptor, Aime-Jules Dalou (1838-1902) and was admired for his unpretentious realism and technical brilliance of modelling. He was commissioned to design many public monuments and statues of public figures.

William Cavendish endowed the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, which was named after his relative, the scientist Henry Cavendish (1731-1810). This full-length seated portrait was cast in 1907 from the model for the large bronze statue at Eastbourne, unveiled in 1901, for which Goscombe John was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Salon of the same year.