The Sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott (1775-1856): Life and Works

Sir Richard Westmacott was one of the leading sculptors of the early nineteenth century, yet he has never been the subject of extensive research. This study provides the first full-length examination of his works. Highly respected and successful throughout his career, he won several of the most prestigious public and private commissions of his day including monuments to Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Charles James Fox. As a tomb sculptor he was rivalled only by his colleague Sir Francis Chantry. In addition, he produced fine sculpture for the galleries of several of the most distinguished collectors of the era. Discussion of Westmacott's sculpture is organized into chapters typologically. His role as a sculptor of public monuments is stressed due to his prominence in this field. His works are analyzed in comparison with those by contemporaneous sculptors in order to assess his achievements within a wider art historical context. This study attempts not only to reveal the sculptor's strengths and weakness, his innovations and his dependence upon tradition, but, more importantly, to clarify how his sculpture reflects the prevailing artistic and cultural attitudes of his time.