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Alexander Pope (1688-1744): M.3-1932

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Current Location: In storage

Titles

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

Maker(s)

Sculptor: Rysbrack, John Michael

Entities

Categories

Description

Terracotta. The sitter's head is turned to the front, held a little forward and looking slightly right. His hair curls at the nape of the neck, he is clean-shaven. His throat is bare, shirt open and the waist-coat is unbuttoned. The shoulders are draped in a cloak.

Notes

History note: Made for Sir Edward Littleton, Bart., for his new house, Teddesley Park, Staffordshire, 1760; it remained there until removed to London by Lord Hatherton, a collateral descendant, in 1931; exhibited at Messrs Spink's, London and bought through them from Lord Hatherton, 1932.

Legal notes

Purchased with the Anne J. Pertz Fund

Measurements and weight

Height: 57 cm
Height: 22 1/2 in

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bought (1932-07-12) by Hatherton, Lord

Dating

18th Century, third quarter
George III
Production date: AD 1760 : dated 1760

Note

Pope was a brilliant 18th-century satirical poet, essayist, and classical scholar. His best-known works include 'Essay on Criticism' (1711), a translation of Homer’s Iliad (1715–20), 'The Dunciad' (1728), and 'Essay on Man' (1732–34). This terracotta bust was commissioned around 1760 from the great Flemish portrait-sculptor Rysbrack by Sir Edward Littleton, for his newly-built family seat, Teddesley Hall, Staffordshire. There it was shown together with Rysbrack’s 1738 terracotta bust of Milton (M.2-1932). It is based on an earlier marble version depicting Pope, which Rysbrack had carved in 1730.

People, subjects and objects depicted

Project

  • Sculpture UK

Materials used in production

Terracotta

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: signed and dated

  • Text: Mich: Rysbrack/fecit 1760
  • Location: At back
  • Type: Signature

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: M.3-1932
Primary reference Number: 29770
External ID: CAM_CCF_M_3_1932

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 26 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Alexander Pope (1688-1744)" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/29770 Accessed: 2025-12-05 07:17:36

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/29770 |title=Alexander Pope (1688-1744) |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 07:17:36|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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