Two very fine Monuments from the workshop of Henry Cheere at Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford.

 

Bishop George Berkeley (1685 - 1753).

Bishop George Berkeley was an Irish philosopher and Anglican bishop who is best known for his theory of "immaterialism," which argues that only minds and their ideas exist. He criticized the foundations of calculus and proposed a new theory of vision. Berkeley died in Oxford, England, in 1753.

The Monument is inscribed -

GRAVISSIMO PRAESULI GEORGIO EPISCOPO CLONENSI. VIRO Seu Ingennii et Eruditionis laudem Seu Probitatis et Beneficentiae Spectemus, Inter primos omnium artatum numerando, Si Amans partriae. Viroque nominee gloriari potes BERKLEIVM vixiffe. Obiit Annum agens Septuagefimum tertium Natus Anno Chrifti MDCLXXLX ANNA conjux L.M.P

 

Translation -

 MOST REVERED PRELATE GEORGE, BISHOP OF CLON. A MAN Whether we consider his genius and learning, Or his integrity and kindness, To be numbered among the foremost of all men, Was a lover of his country. And a man who was able to take pride in Having lived with BERKELY He died in his sixty-seventh year, Born in the year of Christ 1685. ANNA his wife Placed this stone In memory.

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The Monument to Henry Aldrich (1648 - 1710).

The Portrait Relief within the rondel is inscribed underneath H Cheere Fect.

Inscribed 1732.

Henry Cheere

A relatively early production from the Westminster workshop of Henry Cheere - production commenced in 1728 with the loose partnership of Henry Scheemakers (1700 - 48)

Aldrich was educated at Westminster School under Dr Richard Busby. In 1662, he entered Christ Church, Oxford, and in 1689 was made Dean in succession to the Roman Catholic John Massey, who had fled to the Continent. In 1692, he became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford until 1695. 

In 1702, he was appointed Rector of Wem in Shropshire, but continued to reside at Oxford, where he died on 14 December 1710. He was buried in Christ Church Cathedral without any memorial, at his own request.

The medallion portrait memorial was erected to his memory in 1732.

The question for me is - Although it is inscribed - did Henry Cheere actually carve this relief?

The design and carving is exceptional.