John Bacon (sculptor, 1777–1859)

John Bacon (1777–1859) was an English sculptor, operational during the early 19th century.

Life

Monument to Lady Maria Micklethwaite, Sprowston Church, 1805.

Bacon was the second son of the sculptor John Bacon R.A. He entered the Royal Academy Schools at the age of twelve. At fifteen he exhibited his first work, at sixteen he was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Academy, and at seventeen the gold. His prize work was a statue of Cassandra. His father died in 1799, and John Bacon, junior, 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.

There are six of his monuments in St. Paul's Cathedral, and many in Westminster Abbey.

From 1818 until 1843 he worked in partnership with his former pupil, Samuel Manning, but the work appears to be largely by Manning, taking advantage of Bacon's reputation, but lacking the quality of Bacon's work.[1]

He died in 1859.

He contributed to Rees's Cyclopædia articles on Sculpture, but the topics are not known.

Family

A brother, Thomas Bacon, also obtained some reputation as a sculptor. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1793–5.

Notable Works

see[2]

References

  1. ↑ Dictionary of British Sculptors, 1660-1851, Rupert Gunnis
  2. ↑ Dictionary of British Sculptors, 1660-1851, Rupert Gunnis
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Bacon, John (1777–1859)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.