Peter Francis Chenu

Peter Francis Chenu (1760-1834) was a British sculptor of French descent working in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Life and career

Although there is some ambiguity regarding his date of birth and parents (two Peter Chenus having been born in London in 1760) it seems more probable that he was born 6 January 1760, the son of Joshua Chenu a wood and stone carver, in Soho, London.

He was apprenticed at the standard age of 14 by the Stationers Company on 1 March 1774. His premium was provided by the French Hospital in London, his father being dead.[1]

In 1784 he entered the School of the Royal Academy, London, studying sculpture, winning a silver medal in 1785 and gold in 1786. He exhibited at the Academy from 1788 until 1822.[2]

In 1778 he hired a studio at 28 Great Castle St, moving in 1790 to 3 Wardour Street. In 1794 he hired a larger studio at 122 Wardour Street. Following success he moved to 23 Charles Street where he stayed 1802 until 1822. His home address was 1 Union Street, Lambeth.

In 1799 he married Jane Norris at St Martins-in-the-Fields.

In 1805 he is recorded as having purchased busts by his contemporaries, Peter Scheemakers and Thomas Banks.[3]

He retired in 1822. His exact date of death is unclear but his will was read on 10 September 1834. He appears to have had no children and his estate was passed to various nephews. The estate included shares in Covent Garden Theatre.

He is known to have trained Peter Turnerelli, William Behnes and Patrick MacDowell.

Works

see[4]

References

  1. ↑ Oxford Bibliographical Society 1978, p.13
  2. ↑ Dictionary of British Sculptors, 1660-1851, Rupert Gunnis
  3. ↑ http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/british-bronze-founders-and-plaster-figure-makers-1800-1980-1/british-bronze-founders-and-plaster-figure-makers-1800-1980-c.php
  4. ↑ Dictionary of British Sculptors, 1660-1851, Rupert Gunnis

External links