FDA-Sc.25-2017
Parts
Object number
FDA-Sc.25-2017
Object type
Identification
Title
Thomas Gray
Description
Sculpted bust showing a young man, with short hair, clean shaven, in classical robes.
Comments
'Lord Morpeth has just commissioned [Behnes] to execute a bust of Gray, the poet, which his lordship intends for presentation to the college.'
[Windsor and Eton Express, Saturday, 29 November 1845]
'The interesting group of busts which distinguishes the Upper School, and which includes William the Fourth, Wellington, Fox, Canning, Wellesley, north, Person [sic], and Grenville, has received a valuable accession in the presentation to the College, by Lord Morpeth, of a beautiful white marble bust of the poet Gray, executed by Behn [sic], and which, having been lately received by the College authorities, has been just added to the collection.'
[Bucks Herald, Saturday, 4 July 1846]
[Windsor and Eton Express, Saturday, 29 November 1845]
'The interesting group of busts which distinguishes the Upper School, and which includes William the Fourth, Wellington, Fox, Canning, Wellesley, north, Person [sic], and Grenville, has received a valuable accession in the presentation to the College, by Lord Morpeth, of a beautiful white marble bust of the poet Gray, executed by Behn [sic], and which, having been lately received by the College authorities, has been just added to the collection.'
[Bucks Herald, Saturday, 4 July 1846]
Other number
FDA-A.125-2010
Description
Content (person)
Gray, Thomas, 1716 - 1771 (Sitter)
Dimension note
31in. high
Inscription
Lettered on the wall sconce beneath the bust: 'GRAY'
Material
marble
Production
Person
Behnes, William, 1791 - 1864 (Sculptor)
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned by George William Frederick Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle (1802-1864) [styled Viscount Morpeth from 1825 to 1848] in 1845; by whom presented to Eton College in 1846
Exhibited: Possibly the bust exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1825
Exhibited: Possibly the bust exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1825
