FDA-Sc.56-2017
Parts
Object number
FDA-Sc.56-2017
Object type
Identification
Title
King Henry VI
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Marble bust of a man, wearing a crown
Comments
'[Edward] Bentham’s meetings with the sculptor of the Eton statue, John Bacon, are described in Allan Cunningham’s 'The Lives of the Most Eminent British Painters and Sculptors' (published 1829-37)...
Betham surveyed Bacon’s works, satisfying himself that he was in fact suitably accomplished, before commissioning on the spot a bust of Henry VI. He paid half the cost at once and agreed to pay the remainder on receipt of the work... This commission was undoubtedly a trial for the more ambitious project Betham had in mind. A few weeks later Betham returned to Bacon’s studio to inform the artist: ‘your bust has but one fault, sir, and that is it ought to have been carried to the feet. In short, I must have a full statue, to be placed in the chapel of Eton College [see: FDA-Sc.48-2017]’.'
[Source: Martin, Philippa, 'The Other Founder's Statue', Eton College Collections Journal, Michaelmas 2018, p.4]
'The library is on the south side of the cloisters, and consists of three fine apartments, divided by fluted Corinthian columns... A fine portrait on panel of Henry VI., is over a fire-place in the centre division, and above the vestibule leading from the gallery staircase is a small marble bust of the same monarch.'
[Source: The Royal Windsor Guide: With a Brief Account of Eton, 1837, Windsor, printed by J.B. Brown, p.54]
Betham surveyed Bacon’s works, satisfying himself that he was in fact suitably accomplished, before commissioning on the spot a bust of Henry VI. He paid half the cost at once and agreed to pay the remainder on receipt of the work... This commission was undoubtedly a trial for the more ambitious project Betham had in mind. A few weeks later Betham returned to Bacon’s studio to inform the artist: ‘your bust has but one fault, sir, and that is it ought to have been carried to the feet. In short, I must have a full statue, to be placed in the chapel of Eton College [see: FDA-Sc.48-2017]’.'
[Source: Martin, Philippa, 'The Other Founder's Statue', Eton College Collections Journal, Michaelmas 2018, p.4]
'The library is on the south side of the cloisters, and consists of three fine apartments, divided by fluted Corinthian columns... A fine portrait on panel of Henry VI., is over a fire-place in the centre division, and above the vestibule leading from the gallery staircase is a small marble bust of the same monarch.'
[Source: The Royal Windsor Guide: With a Brief Account of Eton, 1837, Windsor, printed by J.B. Brown, p.54]
Other number
FDA-A.159-2010
Description
Content (person)
Dimensions
height (actual size): 770mm
width (actual size): 510mm
depth (actual size): 230mm
width (actual size): 510mm
depth (actual size): 230mm
Dimension note
Approximate dimensions
Inscription
Incised and painted lettering on plinth: 'H.VI Fundator'
Material
marble
Production
Person
Bacon, John (The Elder), 1740 - 1799 (Attributed to)
Date
c.1782
History and association
Associated object
FDA-Sc.48-2017 (associated object)
Object history note
Provenance: Probably commissioned for Eton College by Edward Betham (1707-1783) in c.1782
