Alfred Stevens (1817-1876)

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Biography

Alfred Stevens, posthumous portrait of by Alphonse Legros in silverpoint (Tate Gallery).

Born at Blandford, Dorset, son of a humble decorator. Sent to Italy in 1883 by Hon. and Rev. Samuel Best and studied mainly in Florence and Rome; developed deep interest in Italian Art. In Rome, 1840-42, assistant to Thorwaldsen. Returned to England, 1842. Taught at New School of Design at Somerset House from 1845. Worked for Cockerell on St. George's Hall, Liverpool, 1849-54. Made designs for Hoole of Sheffield from 1850-57. Returned London 1852, designed lions for British Museum railings. In 1856 began work on Wellington Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, which at his death was still incomplete. From 1860 worked on decoration of Dorchester House, Park Lane for Sir George Holford. — British Sculpture 1850-1914

An Appreciation

• Alfred Stevens by Frederick Wedmore (1890)

Sculptural Works

• The Wellington Monument

• Completed Monument, St. Paul's Cathedral
• Sitemap for the monument
• Bust [Replica of Model for The Virtues on the Wellington Monument]
• St. John the Evangelist [Model for Wellington Monument]
• Valour and Cowardice (1) [small bronze cast of sketch for Wellington Monument]
• Valour and Cowardice (2) [Full-size model for Wellington Monument]
• Cowardice: (Detail)
• Truth and Falsehood [Full-size model for Wellington Monument]
• Falsehood
• Model for a Monument to Commemorate the Exhibition of 1851
• Model for Monument
• Queen Victoria
• Other sculptural works
• Lion
• A Pair of Firedogs in the form of Male Figures
• Cherubs from the “Boy Stove”
• Judith and Jael
• Three Struggling Figures.
• Roundels for doors of Dorchester House

Drawings

• Seated Nude
• Dancing Torso
• Figure Drawing

A Stevens Gallery

• Drawings

References

Armstrong, Sir Walter. Alfred Stevens: A Biographical Study. Paris and London: Librairie de L'Art, I881.

Beattie, Susan. The New Sculpture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983.

Beattie, Susan. Alfred Stevens. Ex. Cat. London: Victorian and Albert Museum, 2002.

British Sculpture 1850-1914. A loan exhibition of sculpture and medals sponsored by The Victorian Society. London: Fine Art Society, 1968.

Channel Packet: Paris-London, 1880 - I920. Exhibition catalogue, The Fine Art Society, 148 New Bond Street London Wl. March 24th - 2 5 th April 1969.

Read, Benedict. Victorian Sculpture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1982.

Stannus, Hugh. Alfred Stevens and His Work. London, 1891.

Stannus, Hugh. The Drawings of Alfred Stevens. London and New York, 1908.

Towndrow, Kenneth Romney. Alfred Stevens: Architectural Sculptor, Painter and Designer. London: Constable, 1959.

Towndrow, Kenneth Romney. Alfred Stevens. Liverpool: Walker Art Gallery/University of Liverpool, 1951.

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Last modified 16 September 2011