Henry Hugh Armstead
Encyclopedia
Henry Hugh Armstead was an English sculptor and illustrator, influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites.
, the son of a heraldic chaser. He first trained as a silversmith achieving the highest excellence with the St. George's Vase and the Outram Shield. Along with John Birnie Philip
, he rose to the front rank among contemporary sculptors, working with Philip on the external sculptural decorations of the colonial office
in Whitehall
, and creating some 80 figure sculptures on the southern and eastern sides of the podium of the Albert Memorial
, making up one half of the Frieze of Parnassus
. Armstead also sculpted the large fountain at King's College, Cambridge
, and numerous effigies, such as Bishop Wilberforce
at Winchester
, and Lord John Thynne
at Westminster
. His sense of style and nobility is remarkable; and he was besides gifted with a fine ability of design and draughtsmanship, which he put to good use in his early years for book illustration. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy
in 1875 and a full member in 1880.
Life
Armstead was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the son of a heraldic chaser. He first trained as a silversmith achieving the highest excellence with the St. George's Vase and the Outram Shield. Along with John Birnie Philip
John Birnie Philip
.John Birnie Philip was a notable English sculptor of the 19th century.He studied at the Government School of Design at Somerset House in London under John Rogers Herbert, and then at Herbert's own newly opened school in Maddox Street. He worked in Pugin's wood carving workshop at the Palace of...
, he rose to the front rank among contemporary sculptors, working with Philip on the external sculptural decorations of the colonial office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
in Whitehall
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road in Westminster, in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards Charing Cross at the southern end of Trafalgar Square...
, and creating some 80 figure sculptures on the southern and eastern sides of the podium of the Albert Memorial
Albert Memorial
The Albert Memorial is situated in Kensington Gardens, London, England, directly to the north of the Royal Albert Hall. It was commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her beloved husband, Prince Albert who died of typhoid in 1861. The memorial was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the...
, making up one half of the Frieze of Parnassus
Frieze of Parnassus
The Frieze of Parnassus is a large sculpted stone frieze encircling the podium, or base, of the Albert Memorial in London, England. The Albert Memorial was constructed in the 1860s in memory of Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria....
. Armstead also sculpted the large fountain at King's College, Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
, and numerous effigies, such as Bishop Wilberforce
Samuel Wilberforce
Samuel Wilberforce was an English bishop in the Church of England, third son of William Wilberforce. Known as "Soapy Sam", Wilberforce was one of the greatest public speakers of his time and place...
at Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
, and Lord John Thynne
John Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath
John Alexander Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath , styled Viscount Weymouth between March and June 1837, was a British diplomat and a peer for almost sixty years.-Background and education:...
at Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
. His sense of style and nobility is remarkable; and he was besides gifted with a fine ability of design and draughtsmanship, which he put to good use in his early years for book illustration. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in 1875 and a full member in 1880.
Works (selected)
- The Legend of King Arthur King Arthur conquering the marvailous Gyant (Relief carving - UK Houses of ParliamentPalace of WestminsterThe Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
) - The Legend of King Arthur Sir Galahad's soul borne to Heaven (Relief carving - UK Houses of ParliamentPalace of WestminsterThe Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
) - St Michael and the Serpent or Satan Dismayed (Bronze sculpture)
Further reading
- Suriano, Gregory R. British Pre-Raphaelite Illustrators (British Library Pub., 2005) p. 57 ff.
External links
- H H Armstead online (ArtCyclopedia)
- Designs by Armstead (RA collections)
- Biographical sketch for Henry Hugh Armstead provided by Victorian Web
- Profile page for Henry Hugh Armstead available on Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...