Marble
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/william-behnes-31" aria-label="More by William Behnes" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">William Behnes</a>
Robert Vernon
Presented by Queen Victoria, the Prince Consort and other subscribers in acknowledgment of his gift to the nation in 1847 of his collection of British paintings and sculptures 1850
adults
arts and entertainment
businessman
clothing and personal items
collector / patron
individuals: male
man
named individuals
objects
people
philanthropist
portraits
public service
toga
trading and commercial
Vernon, Robert
work and occupations
<p>In 1849 the picture dealers Paul and Dominic Colnaghi suggested that Vernon's gift to the nation should be commemmorated. It was proposed that a fund should be set up, through a public appeal, for a 'Vernon Medal', to be awarded annually to 'meritorious students' of the Royal Academy. In May 1849 Vernon sat to William Behnes, who modelled a portrait in profile for the proposed medal, as well as a bust. However, the appeal was a failure and the proposal dropped. Instead, Behnes sculpted two busts of Vernon. One went to Ardington parish church, where Vernon, by this time, was buried. The other, this one, was presented to the National Gallery.</p><p><em>Gallery label, August 2004</em></p>
sculpture marble
Robert Vernon
object: 787 × 565 × 279 mm
Presented by Queen Victoria, the Prince Consort and other subscribers in acknowledgment of his gift to the nation in 1847 of his collection of British paintings and sculptures 1850
<p>In 1849 the picture dealers Paul and Dominic Colnaghi suggested that Vernon's gift to the nation should be commemmorated. It was proposed that a fund should be set up, through a public appeal, for a 'Vernon Medal', to be awarded annually to 'meritorious students' of the Royal Academy. In May 1849 Vernon sat to William Behnes, who modelled a <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/p/portrait" title="Glossary definition for 'Portrait'"><span>portrait</span></a> in profile for the proposed medal, as well as a bust. However, the appeal was a failure and the proposal dropped. Instead, Behnes <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/s/sculpture" title="Glossary definition for 'Sculpture'"><span>sculpted</span></a> two busts of Vernon. One went to Ardington parish church, where Vernon, by this time, was buried. The other, this one, was presented to the National Gallery.</p>
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2004-08-18T00:00:00
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adults arts and entertainment businessman clothing and personal items collector / patron individuals: male man named individuals objects people philanthropist portraits public service toga trading and commercial Vernon, Robert work and occupations