Alexander Brodie (1829-1867) was born in Aberdeen in the north east of Scotland, the younger brother of sculptor William Brodie. As a shipmaster's son, he started out as an apprentice in a foundry but soon followed in his elder brother's footsteps, with William's first patron, Sheriff William Watson (1796–1887), enabling him to move to Edinburgh in 1850 and study at the Trustees’ Academy School of Design there. He showed considerable promise, while also working in his brother's studio in Edinburgh. Returning to Aberdeen in 1858, he set up his own studio there, and flourished as an independent sculptor. Among his works were portrait busts, memorial and funerary monuments, narrative and ideal sculptures, and groups, often of great importance for this area, and even further afield. His most important commission, paid for by public subscription, was the statue of the Queen, who gave him sittings while at Balmoral. The statue was unveiled in 1866. Such was his reputation that the demand for his work proved excessive, and he suffered a breakdown. Tragically, he committed suicide at the age of 37. It was left to his brother to complete the bust of the Queen that Alexander was working on at the time. — Jacqueline Banerjee
Works
Bibliography
"Alexander Brodie." National Galleries of Scotland. Web. 22 August 2024.
Smailes, Helen E. "Brodie, Alexander, 1829-1867." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Online ed. Web. 22 August 2024.
"Statue of Queen Victoria." SilverCity Vault Aberdeen Local Studies). Web. 22 August 2024.
Created 22 August 2024