Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885) philanthropist and politician

Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834 - 1890)

Plaster bust

1977 (after an original of 1875)

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Art Collection

    Philanthropist and Politician Anthony Ashley-Cooper, seventh Earl of Shaftesbury married Lady Emily Cowper, whose widowed mother became the wife of the third Viscount Palmerston (later Prime Minister). Shaftesbury served as MP for Dorchester, Dorset and Bath. He became President of the Church Pastoral Aid Society and commissioner of the Board of Health. In 1861 he was awarded the Order of the Garter.

    This plaster cast, taken from a cast in the National Portrait Gallery, was commissioned in 1977 for display in the government offices of the Employment Appeals Tribunal. The original terracotta version of the bust, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1876, remains at St. Giles House, the seat of the Earls of Shaftesbury at Wimborne St Giles in Dorset.

  • About the artist
    Joseph Edgar Boehm was born in Vienna; the son of a medallist, engraver and director of the imperial mint. He attended Leigh’s Art Academy, London (1848-51), before returning to Vienna to study medal design and modelling. From 1859 he lived in Paris. In 1862 he moved to London, eventually settling at The Avenue, Fulham Road, where studio assistants included Gilbert and Drury. His works are mostly marble busts, but he also produced church monuments and equestrian statuettes. He received over 40 royal commissions, taught Princess Louise, was the Queen’s Sculptor-in-Ordinary from 1880 and was made a baronet in 1889. He became a Royal Academician in 1881. Boehm died aged 56. Princess Louise’s presence at his death provoked considerable gossip.
  • Explore
    People
    Anthony, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury Ashley-Cooper (1801 - 1885)
    Places
    Subjects
    male portrait, man, 19th century costume, Earl, Member of Parliament
    Materials & Techniques
    bust (as object name), plaster bust, plaster
  • Details
    Artist
    Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834 - 1890)
    Title
    Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885) philanthropist and politician
    Date
    1977 (after an original of 1875)
    Medium
    Plaster bust
    Dimensions
    height: 69.00 cm, width: 43.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Commissioned and cast in 1977
    Provenance
    Cast (made 1977) of National Portrait Gallery plaster cast (NPG862)
    GAC number
    15968