Full Description
The sculptor Joseph Nollekens (1737-1823) was famed for his portrait busts of leading figures of his day. While working in Italy in the 1760s, he established contacts among a group of aristocratic British patrons, going on to become London's most fashionable sculptor upon his return to England in 1771. The draughtsman and antiquary John Thomas Smith (1766-1833) had been at one time a pupil of Nollekens. It is believed that this anecdotal two-volume biography, first published in 1828, was written as an act of revenge. Having been promised a considerable legacy in the sculptor's will, Smith was disappointed to receive only an executor's fee. The work contains little analysis concerning the sculptor's art, relating instead much gossip and anecdotes of a personal nature. Nonetheless, it presents a vivid picture of the London art world at that time. Volume 1 focuses on Nollekens' character and habits. Volume 2 includes biographical sketches of notable contemporaries.
Contents
Volume 1Sixteen-string Jack; 3. Friends of Mrs Nollekens; 4. Nollekens's dinner-parties and visitors; 5. Mr Nollekens's fancies; 6. Interview between Nollekens and Hone; 7. Anecdotes of Seward and James Barry; 8. Nollekens's opinion of colossal sculpture; 9. Nollekens's favourite amusements; 10. Notices of Sir Robert and Lady Strange; 11. The Elgin Marbles brought to England; 12. Mrs Nollekens's new drawing-room; 13. Mr Nollekens's confessor; 14. Nollekens's insensibility to ancient art. Volume 2: 15. Cause of Mr Nollekens dismissing his confessor; 16. Funeral of Mr Nollekens; 17. Sale of Mr Nollekens's collection; Biographical sketches and anecdotes of several artists and others, contemporary with Nollekens.
