I have previously written about the Laocoon group in England in the 18th century - this post is to emphasize my recent researches and discoveries regarding the sculptor Peter Scheemakers and the afterlife of his Rome terracotta of the Laocoon group and its relationship with a lead group by John Cheere and a buff coloured terracotta at Princeton University here suggested as model by Coade of Lambeth
https://bathartandarchitecture.blogspot.com/2025/03/laocoon-18th-century-lead-group-some.html
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/alma:9932847843408651
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An Mid Eighteenth Century Lead Statuette of the Laocoon Group.
45cm wide, 51cm high.
Mounted on a wooden base.
There appears to be remains of the original bronze finish in the crevices of the surface.
Here suggested as cast by John Cheere (1709 - 1787) at Hyde Park Corner, from a model by Peter Scheemakers made during his stay in Rom. (ref. JT Smith - see below).
"Scheemakers was a native of Antwerp, a disciple of old Delvaux, and I have frequently heard his pupil Mr, Nollekens relate the following recollections of his life. Scheemakers, when a young man, had so ardent a love for the art of Sculpture, that, notwithstanding his slender means, he was determined to quit Antwerp, and walk to Rome. He commenced his journey in the year 1728, but, before he had accomplished the task, his purse was so considerably reduced, that absolute necessity frequently obliged him to sell a shirt from his knapsack.
During his stay in Italy he was much noticed and encouraged, exercising his talent with great avidity, in making numerous small models from most of the celebrated statues and groups in and about that city, which he brought to England".
See further extracts from Nollekens and his Times. pub. 1828 JT Smith below.
The lead group sold by Lyon and Turnbull - Auctioneers.
https://www.lyonandturnbull.com/
15 January 2025 Lot 3. From the Bernard Kelly Collection.
https://www.lyonandturnbull.com/auctions/bernard-kelly-collection-840/lot/3
Peter Scheemakers and a Small Marble Statue of Laocoon and his Sons
JT Smith in Nollekens and his Times. pub. 1828 records -
"In 1756, Mr. Langford had two days' sale of Mr, Scheemakers's pictures, models, and marbles, at his rooms under the Piazza, Covent-garden, in which, Lot 15, of the first day, consisted of "two landscapes, with figures and cattle, by Old Nollekens."
Mr. Langford followed this sale with another, which he advertised thus;
The said collection will be exhibited to public view, on Monday, the 16th inst., and every day after, till the time of Sale, which will begin each day punctually at twelve o'clock.
Of Scheemakers's models I have frequently heard my father speak with considerable pleasure, when he used to state, that they were placed upon tables, stands, and shelves, covered with green baize, round the auction-room, and made a most beautiful appearance. One of them was a small copy of the Laocoon in marble, which was bought by the Earl of Lincoln. (this probably refers to Henry Fiennes Pelham-Clinton, 9th Earl of Lincoln and 2nd Duke of Newcastle.
After the sale, some of the purchasers gave the moulders leave to make casts of what they had bought, so that the students could procure them at a reasonable rate, and study from them in their own apartments.
I suspect that this is the origin of our Lead Laocoon - the cast probably by John Cheere either from the marble mentioned above or a terracotta made by Scheemakers whilst visiting Rome.
Vevini, (this almost certainly refers to Peter Vanina/ Vanini fl. 1753 -70 who cast objects in plaster for Rysbrack) was a plaster Figure-maker, then living in St. James's-Street, made a fine mould of the Laocoon, the very first cast of which is at present in the possession of Mr. John Taylor, of No. 12, Cirencester-place, who has been already frequently mentioned in this work: he is now in his 89th year, and is styled the "Father of the Painters;" having been a Pupil of Francis Hayman.
Scheemakers, for some time, shared the patronage of the great and good with Roubiliac and Rysbrack; and not many require to be informed that the statue of Shakspeare in Westminster Abbey was carved by Scheemakers from the design of Kent the Architect; but very few persons appear to be aware, that the beautiful little bronze statue of King Edward VI. in the court-yard of St. Thomas's Hospital, is also by the hand of the same Sculptor. For my own part, I never go into the Borough without indulging myself with a sight of that truly elegant production of Art.
Some other specimens of this Artist were in the collection at Wanstead House, and were sold on Friday, 21st June, 1822, in the tenth day's sale of that mansion, and were as follows: Lot 869, "a very splendid Medicean-shaped vase, four feet six inches high, of statuary marble, finely sculptured in high relief, representing a Sacrifice to Apollo, upon a stone pedestal, with carved heads and festoons." Lot 370, "A ditto, with the subject of the Sacrifice of Iphigenia, upon a stone pedestal, same as the last."
Lot 47, Laocoon and his sons (group) in the sale of Peter Vanina (info from Getty Provenance)
the transcription of the Christie’s Sale of Peter Vanina - 5 April 1770.
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