John Bacon (sculptor, born 1777) explained

John Bacon (1777–1859), also known as John Bacon the Younger, or Junior, to distinguish him from his equally famous father, was an English sculptor.

Biography

Bacon was the second son of the sculptor John Bacon and his wife Elizabeth Wade. He was born at his parents' home in Newman Street in the City of Westminster on 13 March 1777.[1] He entered the Royal Academy Schools at the age of twelve, one of the youngest pupils ever admitted.

At fifteen, Bacon exhibited his first work; at sixteen, he was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Academy; and in 1797 he won the gold medal for his statue of Cassandra. His brother Thomas Bacon also exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1793 and 1795. Their father died in 1799, and the younger John Bacon succeeded to his business. He finished such works as he found in progress, including the well-known statue of Lord Cornwallis, and managed to secure ample patronage for himself. He ceased to exhibit at the academy in 1824.

Building projects included the figure of Providence on Trinity House in 1796 and replacing the figures of "Madness" and "Melancholy" over the entrance to Bethlem Hospital (better known as Bedlam) in 1814.

There are six of Bacon's monuments in St Paul's Cathedral and at least eight in Westminster Abbey. There are also two in Windsor Castle.

From 1818 until 1843, Bacon worked in partnership with his former pupil Samuel Manning, but their work appears to be largely by Manning, taking advantage of Bacon's reputation but, in the view of the art historian Rupert Gunnis, lacking the quality of Bacon's work. Bacon himself went into virtual retirement from 1830.[1] He contributed articles on sculpture to Rees's Cyclopædia.

In 1801 he was married to Susanna Sophia Taylor (born 1782). He died in Bath, Somerset on 14 July 1859.

Other works

Bacon's notable works include:[1]

With Samuel Manning

References

Attribution:

Notes and References

  1. Book: Dictionary of British Sculptors, 1660–1851 . Rupert Gunnis . Rupert Gunnis . The Abbey Library . 1951.
  2. Web site: Monument to the Honourable Edward Waldergrave . The Courtauld Institute of Art . 24 November 2022.
  3. Web site: George Bryan . Westminster Abbey . 27 October 2022.
  4. Web site: Coote Manningham . Westminster Abbey . 27 October 2022.
  5. Web site: John Plenderleath . Westminster Abbey . 27 October 2022.
  6. Web site: Thomas Trigge . Westminster Abbey . 27 October 2022.
  7. Web site: Qwen and William Wynne . Westminster Abbey . 27 October 2022.
  8. Web site: Markham family . Westminster Abbey . 27 October 2022.
  9. Book: Diane Bilbey with Marjorie Trusted . V&A Publications. 2002. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000 A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum . 1851773959.