Updated 9 Feb. 2024.
Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland (1745 - 90).
Not to be confused with Butcher Cumberland!
Since reviewing this post it is my firm belief that it is definitely not a bust carved by van Nost but almost certainly that carved by Christopher Hewetson in Rome.
see my post for a much more in depth look -
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Described by the Museum as possibly
by
John Nost the Younger (1713 - 80).
This attribution suggested by Malcolm Baker.
Victoria and Albert Museum.
Dimensions - Height: 66.5 cm.
I have written about 3 dimensional portraits of the previous Duke of Cumberland already see -
When first acquired this bust was thought to depict William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. However more recently it has been suggested that
it in fact bears a closer resemblance to Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland.
This three-quarters bust depicts a man looking to the left with the front hair waved back and rolled up in a single curl over each ear and the
back hair tied in a queue. He wears a clock over a plain breastplate and a high folded stock round the neck. The Star of the Order of the
Garter appears in the folds of the cloak.
He wears a cloak over a plain breastplate, with a high folded stock around his neck. The Star of the order of the
garter appears in the folds of the cloak.
Purchased by Dr Hildburgh, F.S.A. from Rogers, Chapman and Thomas's Auction Rooms in Gloucester Road, London, for a few shillings'
early in November 1941. Given by Dr Hildburgh, F.S.A. to the Museum in 1941.
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Brief Biography.
Henry Frederick Duke of Cumberland was born on 26th October 1745, sixth child and fourth son of Frederick Louis,
Prince of Wales (son of George II) and his wife Augusta at Leicester House in
London.
He was appointed Ranger of Windsor Great Park by the King and created
Duke of Cumberland in 1766.
Joining the navy he rose to the rank of
vice-admiral in 1770. In 1778 he was made an Admiral but forbidden to take a
command.
He had a notorious relationship with Lady Grosvenor but married the
Hon. Anne Horton, widow of Christopher Horton and eldest daughter of Simon
Luttrell, 1st Earl of Carhampton, on 2nd October 1771. They had no children and
she died abroad in 1803.
Henry died after alighting from his coach outside
Cumberland House in Pall Mall aged 45 on 18th September 1790.
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The socle if original suggests to me that it is a later 18th century - it is of a type much employed by Nollekens such as on his busts of Pirenesi, Pope, and Sterne, (see examples below).
Although I havn't inspected it personally this appears to be a very fine bust and deserves to be better known.
I don't believe that this bust is by van Nost, although he was capable of very good work.
Bust of Butcher Cumberland (1721 - 65) by Joseph Nollekens.
Royal Collection
This marble bust of William Augusuts, Duke of Cumberland and
third son of George II, by the English sculptor Joseph Nollekens is based on an
earlier bust by the sculptor John Michael Rysbrack. As in the original, the
Duke of Cumberland is depicted wearing classical armour with a lion mask in the
centre, the Star of the Garter on the left, and with a furred cloak arranged
over his right shoulder.
The bust was acquired in 1814 by George IV. Between 1805 and
1816 George IV appointed Nollekens to make a series of portrait busts of
influential British politicians and close friends. The Duke of Cumberland was
considered a prominent figure in British history, celebrated for his victory
over Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1746 which concluded the Stuart claim to
the throne and marked the end of the Jacobite rebellion in Scotland.
Originally in Carlton House, it was sent to Windsor Castle
on 4th November 1828.
Bill dated for the 9th of November 1814 for the sum of £157.
Originally on the Grand Staircase at Carlton House, and sent to Windsor Castle
in 1828.
Photo and info courtesy - Royal Collection.
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The busts of Sterne and Pope by Nollekens (131 - 1823).
Metropolitan Museum, New York.
Not dated
Illustrated here to show the eared socle as used frequently by Nollekens.
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Another example of a similar Nollekens eared socle in his bust of Pirenesi.
Accademia
di San Luca - Rome.
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Another frequent user of this form of eared socle was the Roman sculptor and restorer Bartolemeo Cavaceppi (1716/1717 - 1799)
based on classical precedents.
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Bartolomeo Cavaceppi (Italian, 1716/1717 - 1799).
Bust of Emperor Caracalla, about 1750–1770, Marble.
71 cm, 53.978 kg (27 15/16 in., 119 lb.), 94.SA.46.
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.
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Frederick the Great.
Cavaceppi.
San Souci, Potsdam.
I will return to the subject when I have more time.
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