FDA-Sc.32-2017
Parts
Object number
FDA-Sc.32-2017
Object type
Identification
Title
Charles, 2nd Earl Grey
Description
Sculpted bust of a man, with short hair, clean shaven, in classical drapery
Comments
'A bust of the Earl Grey (by Campbell) has just been presented to the College by the family of his Lordship, and will be placed in the Upper School.'
[Reading Mercury, Saturday 31 July 1852]
'Thomas Campbell (1790-1858) is the artist responsible for [the] Lord Denman and Earl Grey [busts]... Campbell possessed, according to contemporary opinion, “the peculiar felicity of seizing the individual likeness of his sitters and giving them a sentiment and expression highly characteristic.” So we know what Denman and Grey really looked like... The bust of Grey, humorous, sturdy, commonsensical, is an agreeable thing: what a long way the sitter has come since the arrogance of Romney’s leaving portrait! Our Grey is a metal cast of the bust in the Royal Collection, coated in white paint. Macro, the School Messenger, considers it the only good one in Upper School. “I can’t get the rest really clean,” he says.'
['Eton Busts' by Oliver Van Oss, Etoniana, No.123, November 29, 1969, p.354-355]
[Reading Mercury, Saturday 31 July 1852]
'Thomas Campbell (1790-1858) is the artist responsible for [the] Lord Denman and Earl Grey [busts]... Campbell possessed, according to contemporary opinion, “the peculiar felicity of seizing the individual likeness of his sitters and giving them a sentiment and expression highly characteristic.” So we know what Denman and Grey really looked like... The bust of Grey, humorous, sturdy, commonsensical, is an agreeable thing: what a long way the sitter has come since the arrogance of Romney’s leaving portrait! Our Grey is a metal cast of the bust in the Royal Collection, coated in white paint. Macro, the School Messenger, considers it the only good one in Upper School. “I can’t get the rest really clean,” he says.'
['Eton Busts' by Oliver Van Oss, Etoniana, No.123, November 29, 1969, p.354-355]
Other number
FDA-A.132-2010
Description
Content (person)
Dimension note
27in. high
Inscription
Lettered on the wall sconce which supports the bust: 'GREY'
Materials & techniques note
'metal cast', painted to look like marble
Production
Person
Campbell, Thomas, 1791 - 1858 (Sculptor)
Date
1842
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Presented to Eton College by the family of the sitter in 1852
