John Evan Thomas (Welsh sculptor)
Encyclopedia
John Evan Thomas, FSA
(15 January 1810
– 9 October 1873
) was a Welsh
sculptor, notable for many sculptures both in Wales and elsewhere in the UK, such as his portrait sculptures in London. He was especially notable for the Death of Tewdrig which was exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, and for his two bronze statues of Henry de Loundres
and William, Earl of Pembroke
in the chamber of the House of Lords
.
, Wales
. In 1857 he bought the small mansion, Penisha'r-Pentre, at Llansbyddid, and became High Sheriff of Brecknockshire
in 1868. As a loyal Welshman, and with the support of Benjamin Hall
, he was a prominent figure in the movement to stop misuse of endowments which had been given to Christ College, Brecon
. He died on 9 October 1873 in London and was buried there.
between 1835 and 1862. At his London studio at 7 Lower Belgrave Place he retained the patronage of Welsh landed gentry, producing bust portraits for them. Many of his public works are still visible in Wales: for example his Duke of Wellington
in the centre of Brecon, and his statuary in Brecon Cathedral
. He also produced a lot of work outside Wales. Over the years his name has suffered confusion with that of John Thomas
(1813–1862) to the extent that the English sculptor's 1855 Boadicea
was transported as one of John Evan Thomas' works from Birmingham to Brecknock Museum
in 1981, and suffered damage en route and after arrival, before it was realised that the sculpture was John Thomas's
. Works at the Guildhall and Lloyds Bank at Bristol
are probably those of John Thomas
but are attributed to John Evan Thomas.
at Westminster Abbey
and the Second Marquess of Bute
in Cardiff
city centre. The latter was shown at the Great Exhibition and cast in bronze in 1853. Four more principal works are: Sir Charles Morgan at Newport
, the Duke of Wellington
at Brecon
, the John Henry Vivian
at Swansea
and the 1865 Prince Consort on Castle Heights, Tenby
.
a metal electrotype
of his 1848 plaster sculpture, Death of Tewdrig, depicts the dying fifth-century king Tewdrig
and saint of Glamorgan. It was designed by Thomas and modelled by his brother W. Meredyth Thomas in response to a patriotic competition at the 1848 Abergavenny
Eisteddfod. This was shown again at the Royal Academy
in 1849, and again as an electrotype at the Great Exhibition of 1851. This sculpture is associated with the Welsh national revival
of the 1830s and 1840s.
Thomas produced two of the life-sized bronze statues, depicting the fifteen barons and two bishops who signed the Magna Carta
, which line the walls of the Lords' Chamber at the House of Lords
and were cast in 1847−1851. The original maquettes for these have languished for a hundred years, hidden in the bottom of the north tower of the medieval
Westgate, Canterbury
. The statues which make up Thomas' contribution to this set are Henry de Loundres
, Archbishop of Dublin
, and William, Earl of Pembroke
.
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
(15 January 1810
1810 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1810 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales - George, Prince Regent*Princess of Wales - Caroline of Brunswick-Events:...
– 9 October 1873
1873 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1873 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales — The Prince Albert Edward, son of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom*Princess of Wales — Alexandra of Denmark-Events:...
) was a Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
sculptor, notable for many sculptures both in Wales and elsewhere in the UK, such as his portrait sculptures in London. He was especially notable for the Death of Tewdrig which was exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, and for his two bronze statues of Henry de Loundres
Henry de Loundres
Henry de Loundres was an Anglo-Norman churchman who was Archbishop of Dublin, from 1213 to 1228. He was an influential figure in the reign of John of England, an administrator and loyalist to the king, and is mentioned in the text of the Magna Carta, the terms of which he helped to negotiate.He...
and William, Earl of Pembroke
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
in the chamber of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
.
Biography
Thomas was born in BreconBrecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. In 1857 he bought the small mansion, Penisha'r-Pentre, at Llansbyddid, and became High Sheriff of Brecknockshire
High Sheriff of Brecknockshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Brecknockshire or Breconshire.The office of High Sheriff of Brecknockshire was established in 1535 since when a High Sheriff was appointed annually by the Queen until 1974 when the office was merged into that of High Sheriff of Powys as part of the creation of...
in 1868. As a loyal Welshman, and with the support of Benjamin Hall
Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover
Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover PC , known as Sir Benjamin Hall, Bt, between 1838 and 1859, was a British civil engineer and politician.-Political career:...
, he was a prominent figure in the movement to stop misuse of endowments which had been given to Christ College, Brecon
Christ College, Brecon
Christ College, Brecon is a co-educational, boarding and day independent school, located in the market town of Brecon in mid-Wales. It caters for pupils from eleven to eighteen.Christ College was founded by Royal Charter in 1541 by King Henry VIII...
. He died on 9 October 1873 in London and was buried there.
Professional life
Thomas studied in London under Francis Leggatt Chantrey and then in Europe. He produced church monuments in Wales from 1831, and portraits in London from 1834 onwards, becoming a frequent exhibitor of his portrait busts at the Royal AcademyRoyal 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...
between 1835 and 1862. At his London studio at 7 Lower Belgrave Place he retained the patronage of Welsh landed gentry, producing bust portraits for them. Many of his public works are still visible in Wales: for example his Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
in the centre of Brecon, and his statuary in Brecon Cathedral
Brecon Cathedral
Brecon Cathedral, in the town of Brecon, is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon in the Church in Wales, and seat of the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon...
. He also produced a lot of work outside Wales. Over the years his name has suffered confusion with that of John Thomas
John Thomas (sculptor)
John Thomas was a British sculptor and architect, who worked on Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster.John Thomas was born in Chalford, Gloucestershire....
(1813–1862) to the extent that the English sculptor's 1855 Boadicea
Boudica
Boudica , also known as Boadicea and known in Welsh as "Buddug" was queen of the British Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire....
was transported as one of John Evan Thomas' works from Birmingham to Brecknock Museum
Brecknock Museum
Brecknock Museum is a museum in Brecon, the historic county town of Brecknockshire or Breconshire in Mid Wales. It is managed by Powys County Council.- Location :...
in 1981, and suffered damage en route and after arrival, before it was realised that the sculpture was John Thomas's
John Thomas (sculptor)
John Thomas was a British sculptor and architect, who worked on Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster.John Thomas was born in Chalford, Gloucestershire....
. Works at the Guildhall and Lloyds Bank at Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
are probably those of John Thomas
John Thomas (sculptor)
John Thomas was a British sculptor and architect, who worked on Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster.John Thomas was born in Chalford, Gloucestershire....
but are attributed to John Evan Thomas.
Principal works
Two of his principal works are considered to be the Second Marquess of LondonderryRobert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh
Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, KG, GCH, PC, PC , usually known as Lord CastlereaghThe name Castlereagh derives from the baronies of Castlereagh and Ards, in which the manors of Newtownards and Comber were located...
at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
and the Second Marquess of Bute
John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute
John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute, KT, FRS was the son of John, Lord Mount Stuart and the former Lady Elizabeth McDouall-Crichton...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
city centre. The latter was shown at the Great Exhibition and cast in bronze in 1853. Four more principal works are: Sir Charles Morgan at Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, the Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
at Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
, the John Henry Vivian
John Henry Vivian
John Henry Vivian was a Welsh industrialist and politician of Cornish extraction.Vivian was the son of John Vivian, of Truro, Cornwall, and his wife Betsey, daughter of the Reverend Richard Cranch, and the brother of Hussey Vivian, 1st Baron Vivian...
at Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
and the 1865 Prince Consort on Castle Heights, Tenby
Tenby
Tenby is a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, lying on Carmarthen Bay.Notable features of Tenby include of sandy beaches; the 13th century medieval town walls, including the Five Arches barbican gatehouse ; 15th century St...
.
Death of Tewdrig
In Brecknock MuseumBrecknock Museum
Brecknock Museum is a museum in Brecon, the historic county town of Brecknockshire or Breconshire in Mid Wales. It is managed by Powys County Council.- Location :...
a metal electrotype
Electrotyping
Electrotyping is a chemical method for forming metal parts that exactly reproduce a model. The method was invented by Moritz von Jacobi in Russia in 1838, and was immediately adopted for applications in printing and several other fields...
of his 1848 plaster sculpture, Death of Tewdrig, depicts the dying fifth-century king Tewdrig
Tewdrig
Tewdrig or Tewdrig ap Teithfallt was a king of the post-Roman Kingdom of Glywysing. He abdicated in favour of his son Meurig and retired to live a hermitical life, but was recalled to lead his son's army against an intruding Saxon force...
and saint of Glamorgan. It was designed by Thomas and modelled by his brother W. Meredyth Thomas in response to a patriotic competition at the 1848 Abergavenny
Abergavenny
Abergavenny , meaning Mouth of the River Gavenny, is a market town in Monmouthshire, Wales. It is located 15 miles west of Monmouth on the A40 and A465 roads, 6 miles from the English border. Originally the site of a Roman fort, Gobannium, it became a medieval walled town within the Welsh Marches...
Eisteddfod. This was shown again at 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 1849, and again as an electrotype at the Great Exhibition of 1851. This sculpture is associated with the Welsh national revival
Romantic nationalism
Romantic nationalism is the form of nationalism in which the state derives its political legitimacy as an organic consequence of the unity of those it governs...
of the 1830s and 1840s.
House of Lords statuary and maquettes
Thomas produced two of the life-sized bronze statues, depicting the fifteen barons and two bishops who signed the Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
, which line the walls of the Lords' Chamber at the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
and were cast in 1847−1851. The original maquettes for these have languished for a hundred years, hidden in the bottom of the north tower of the medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
Westgate, Canterbury
Westgate, Canterbury
The Westgate is a medieval gatehouse in Canterbury, Kent, England. This 60-foot-high western gate of the city wall is the largest surviving city gate in England. Built of Kentish ragstone around 1379, it is the last survivor of Canterbury's seven medieval gates, still well-preserved and one of the...
. The statues which make up Thomas' contribution to this set are Henry de Loundres
Henry de Loundres
Henry de Loundres was an Anglo-Norman churchman who was Archbishop of Dublin, from 1213 to 1228. He was an influential figure in the reign of John of England, an administrator and loyalist to the king, and is mentioned in the text of the Magna Carta, the terms of which he helped to negotiate.He...
, Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Church of Ireland has a similar role, heading the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. In both cases, the Archbishop is also Primate of Ireland...
, and William, Earl of Pembroke
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
.
