Bonhams 1793 : After William Behnes, British (1795-1864) A late 19th century carved white marble bust of Dr Benjamin Travers

depicted looking slightly to sinister and wearing a toga, signed to the reverse W BEHNES S.C. LONDON 1886, raised on a later cylindrical socle, together with a 19th century Serpentine marble pedestal,the bust 67cm high (26.25") 83cm (32.5"), high including socle, the pedestal 112cm high,.

Sold for £1,750 inc. premium

Footnotes

Behnes joined the Royal Academy school in 1813 at the age of eighteen and in 1816, 1817 and 1819 he won Silver Medals there. In 1819 he won a gold medal from the Society of Arts for inventing 'an instrument for transferring points to marble' (Archives, Society of Arts). One of his first commissions was from Barrington, Bishop of Durham, which led to many other requests and a relatively rapid rise to success. In 1837 he was appointed Sculptor in Ordinary to the Queen after producing a bust of her in 1828. He was considered by critics and many patrons as one of the finest portrait sculptors of his time.

The present bust is dated 1886 and therefore must have been carved by a follower of Behnes after his death. The original marble bust of Benjamin Travers (1783-1858) by Behnes is dated 1858 and is in the museum at the Royal College of Surgeons. Travers was president of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1847 and 1858. (inv. no. RCSSC/P 222).

Related Literature:
R Gunnis, Dictionary of British Sculptors, 1660-1851 pages 45-47.

Category: Furniture / English Furniture and Works of Art

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