FDA-Sc.24-2017
Parts
Object number
FDA-Sc.24-2017
Object type
Identification
Title
Richard, 1st Earl Howe
Description
Sculpted bust showing a man with a partially bald head, short hair, clean shaven, in military uniform
Comments
'In addition to the busts of distinguished statemen, warriors, and divines, already presented to Eton College, Earl Howe has just commissioned Mr. Behnes to execute a bust of his grandfather, "the famous admiral," which will be presented to the college, and placed in the upper school.'
[Reading Mercury, Saturday, 13 December 1845]
'Mr. Behnes is now executing a bust of Lord Howe (of the glorious 1st of June celebrity), to be presented to the college by the present earl.'
[London Evening Standard, Tuesday, 27 July 1847]
'Earl Howe has presented a bust of the celebrated Admiral Lord Howe, sculpted by Behnes, to Eton College, where it will be erected in the chapel.'
[Dumfries and Galloway Standard and Advertiser, Wednesday 17 November 1847]
'The bust of Howe has caused me some trouble. The late châtelain of Godolphin House suggested, doubtless stirred by the obscure promptings of eponymous piety, that this was not the admiral but his brother, the general. I dearly hoped he was right. It would be satisfactory to have with us in Chambers the strong glance of the last man to capture the city of New York. Uniforms are difficult to determine without their colouring, but the broad braided buttonholes seemed naval to me. The matter is settled by an entry in the Windsor & Eton Express for Nov 20, 1847. At the foot of an article headed, with a caution worthy of our National Fivepenny, “ Discovery of Alleged Frescoes at Eton College Chapel ” (it attributes them to Van Dyck and suggests 1410); it adds “a well-executed bust of Lord Howe, of the glorious First of June,
has just been presented to the College by the present Earl. It is one of the happiest and grandest works of Mr. Behnes, simple in conception and full of energetic character.”'
['Eton Busts' by Oliver Van Oss, Etoniana, No.123, November 29, 1969, p.354]
[Reading Mercury, Saturday, 13 December 1845]
'Mr. Behnes is now executing a bust of Lord Howe (of the glorious 1st of June celebrity), to be presented to the college by the present earl.'
[London Evening Standard, Tuesday, 27 July 1847]
'Earl Howe has presented a bust of the celebrated Admiral Lord Howe, sculpted by Behnes, to Eton College, where it will be erected in the chapel.'
[Dumfries and Galloway Standard and Advertiser, Wednesday 17 November 1847]
'The bust of Howe has caused me some trouble. The late châtelain of Godolphin House suggested, doubtless stirred by the obscure promptings of eponymous piety, that this was not the admiral but his brother, the general. I dearly hoped he was right. It would be satisfactory to have with us in Chambers the strong glance of the last man to capture the city of New York. Uniforms are difficult to determine without their colouring, but the broad braided buttonholes seemed naval to me. The matter is settled by an entry in the Windsor & Eton Express for Nov 20, 1847. At the foot of an article headed, with a caution worthy of our National Fivepenny, “ Discovery of Alleged Frescoes at Eton College Chapel ” (it attributes them to Van Dyck and suggests 1410); it adds “a well-executed bust of Lord Howe, of the glorious First of June,
has just been presented to the College by the present Earl. It is one of the happiest and grandest works of Mr. Behnes, simple in conception and full of energetic character.”'
['Eton Busts' by Oliver Van Oss, Etoniana, No.123, November 29, 1969, p.354]
Other number
FDA-A.124-2010
Description
Content (person)
Howe, Richard Howe, 1726 - 1799 (Sitter)
Dimension note
32in. high
Inscription
Lettered on wall sconce, beneath the bust: 'HOWE'
Material
marble
Production
Person
Behnes, William, 1791 - 1864 (Sculptor)
Date
1846-1847
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned by Richard William Penn Curzon-Howe, 1st Earl Howe (1796-1870) in 1845; by whom presented to Eton College in 1847
References
• Gunnis, R., Dictionary of British Scultpors 1660-1851 (p.47)
