John Barnard
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.The Flemish-born Rysbrack was a dominant force in developing the psychologically penetrating portraiture of Augustan England. A log of his busts, begun by George Vertue in 1732 and continued until 1744, lists a bust of "Dr. Bernard, Bp Rapho," as well as a "Son of Mr. Bernard." The fate of the former bust is not known, but the Museum's bust is securely identifiable with the latter. William Barnard was consecrated bishop of Raphoe in Northern Ireland in 1744, succeeded to the bishopric of Derry in 1746–47, and died in 1768. The names of two sons, both clergymen, are recorded, but that of John Barnard is not. The boy is fashionably outfitted in Hussar costume, but there is a grave and wasted aspect to his intelligent features. Conceivably Rysbrack was asked to perpetuate the memory of a beloved child who died at about the age of eight.
Artwork Details
- Title: John Barnard
- Artist: John Michael Rysbrack (Flemish, Antwerp 1694–1770 London)
- Date: 1743
- Culture: British, London
- Medium: Terracotta__ _Owner/Representative’s signature Date
- Dimensions: 14¾ in. (37.5 cm.) high; 20½ in. (52 cm.) high, overall
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Loan from a Private Collection, 2019
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts