unknown artist, nineteenth centuryafter Hubert Gerhard, ca. 1540–before 1621, Dutch, active in GermanyFormerly attributed to Grinling Gibbons, 1648–1721, BritishFormerly studio of Grinling Gibbons, 1648–1721, British
Title:
Augustus
Date:
early 19th century
Materials & Techniques:
Bronze
Dimensions:
Overall: 19 7/8 x 10 x 8 1/2 inches (50.5 x 25.4 x 21.6 cm)
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1977.14.13
Gallery Label:
In 1685, King Charles II died of a stroke in 1685, having probably converted to catholicism on his deathbed. Charles was succeeded by his younger brother the Duke of York (after whom New York City was named a little earlier). The Duke and Duchess, who was also catholic, reigned briefly as King James II. This splendid bronze statuette was probably made after James's accession. It has been attributed to the Dutch expatriate woodcarver and sculptor Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721), who produced a number of works for James and his queen, Mary of Modena (of whom there are two portraits hanging in the next bay), including a fine, full-sized bronze statue (1688) which today stands outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2005