FDA-Sc.44-2017
Parts
Object number
FDA-Sc.44-2017
Object type
Identification
Title
King George III
Description
George III
Comments
'Colonel Reid, the recently elected member of Parliament for Windsor, has... just signified to the provost his desire to add to [the] splendid collection of busts, by contributing one of George the Third.'
[Reading Mercury, Saturday, 13 December 1845]
On Saturday 26 December 1846, 'Jackson's Oxford Journal' reported:
'Colonel Reid, M.P. for Windsor, has just presented to Eton college a bust of George III., copy of original in possession of her Majesty by Bacon, permitted to be taken for that express purpose by Mr. Woodington, sculptor...'
The former Eton Lower Master (1959–65) Oliver Van Os wrote an article titled 'Eton Busts', mainly on the busts in Upper School at Eton College, for 'Etoniana' (published November 1969). In it, he mentions this work:
'George III has every right to be present at Speeches [which took place in Upper School]. His bust was done by Woodington in 1846 and is a copy of the King's favourite one, of which the originals by Bacon are at Windsor, Christ Church and elsewhere.'
[p.356]
Also:
'The Archbishop of York was so impressed by [Bacon's] Mars that he arranged for him to do the bust of the King at Christ Church, of which we have a derivative in Upper School. King George was delighted and ordered a number of copies - presenting one to the University of Gottingen and another to the Society of Antiquaries.'
[p.359]
[Reading Mercury, Saturday, 13 December 1845]
On Saturday 26 December 1846, 'Jackson's Oxford Journal' reported:
'Colonel Reid, M.P. for Windsor, has just presented to Eton college a bust of George III., copy of original in possession of her Majesty by Bacon, permitted to be taken for that express purpose by Mr. Woodington, sculptor...'
The former Eton Lower Master (1959–65) Oliver Van Os wrote an article titled 'Eton Busts', mainly on the busts in Upper School at Eton College, for 'Etoniana' (published November 1969). In it, he mentions this work:
'George III has every right to be present at Speeches [which took place in Upper School]. His bust was done by Woodington in 1846 and is a copy of the King's favourite one, of which the originals by Bacon are at Windsor, Christ Church and elsewhere.'
[p.356]
Also:
'The Archbishop of York was so impressed by [Bacon's] Mars that he arranged for him to do the bust of the King at Christ Church, of which we have a derivative in Upper School. King George was delighted and ordered a number of copies - presenting one to the University of Gottingen and another to the Society of Antiquaries.'
[p.359]
Other number
FDA-A.144-2010
Description
Content (person)
Dimension note
30½in. high
Inscription
Incised lettering on verso of base: 'W. F. WOODINGTON Sculp. / LONDON 1846. / After Bacon'
Painted lettering on wall sconce beneath bust: 'KING GEORGE III'
Painted lettering on wall sconce beneath bust: 'KING GEORGE III'
Material
marble
Production
Person
Woodington, William Frederick, 1806 - 1893 (Sculptor)
Bacon, John (The Younger), 1777 - 1859 (Source artist)
Bacon, John (The Younger), 1777 - 1859 (Source artist)
Date
1846
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Presented to Eton College by Colonel George Reid, M.P. for Windsor, in 1846
References
• Gunnis, R., Dictionary of British Scultpors 1660-1851 (p.441)
