Lot 72
A 19th century wax portrait relief of Thomas Carlyle, circa 1875 By Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, Bart, RA (1834-1890)
Auction: 25 June 2008 at 12:00 BST
Description
the profile of oval form within its original broad moulded oak frame
Dimensions
14.5cm wide, 16cm high
Footnote
Note: Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was a Scottish essayist, satirist and historian. He was a recognised literary leader whose work was hugely influential during the Victorian era. Carlyle was presented with a unique gold specimen of the medal struck to honour the occasion of his 80th birthday on 4th December 1875, together with a testimonial letter, signed by 119 of his eminent contemporaries. The design was closely based on Boehm's portrait of Carlyle, the plaster statue version having been exhibited with much acclaim in the Royal Academy in that year (NPG 685). A rough brown wax relief, now in Carlyle's House in Chelsea, provided the basis of the medal, which was engraved by George T Morgan from Boehm's wax portraits.
This wax portrait is well finished and is likely to have played a major part in the evolution of the birthday medal.
Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-1890) studied in his native Vienna, Italy and Paris before establishing himself in England in 1862, acquiring British nationality in 1865. As a reward for his many commissions from Queen Victoria he was appointed 'Sculptor in Ordinary to the Queen.' His works were exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1862 and 1891; he was nominated a member in 1882.
Literature:
'Edgar Boehm's Medal of Thomas Carlyle' by Mark Stocker, The Medal, no. 6, Spring 1985.
'British Historical Medals' by Laurence Brown, vol II, No 3006, London 1987.
'Royalist and Realist: The Life and Work of Sir Edgar Boehm' by Mark Stocker, Garland Publishing, New York 1988.
'Biographical Dictionary of Medallists' vol I, by Leonard Forrer, pp 204-5, London 1904-30.
A cast bronze bas-relief portrait of Carlyle by Thomas Stuart Burnett ARSA (1853-1888) was sold in these rooms, 21st March 2007.