“Sir Robert Smirke,” by Thomas Campbell (1790-1858)

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Sir Robert Smirke

Thomas Campbell (1790-1858)

1845

Marble

Room 1 of the British Museum, London

Photograph, caption, and Commentary below by Jacqueline Banerjee, 2009.

You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL.

Sir Robert Smirke (1781-1867) is honoured in this location as the architect of the British Museum, the bust having been originally presented to Lady Smirke in 1846. The Museum's notes give a full account of its history, and comment helpfully, "Although the marble is heavily veined in one place, the sculptor has made sure that the impurity is not immediately visible,” by hiding it at the back. The warm tone of the clothing suggests that Campbell cut away other impurities so that the face appears white and blemish-free. [...] The liveliness of this bust with its carefully carved classical-style drapery, under which is a shirt in a more romantic idiom, is partly achieved” by the slight turn of the head and the semi-circular incision for the pupils. The bust is highly polished."

Bibliography

"Portrait Bust" (see "Curator's Comments." The British Museum Collections website. Viewed 23 December 2009.

Last modified 23 December 2009