Matthew Noble
Albert, Prince Consort
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Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
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- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
This ivory bust represents Albert, the Prince Consort, wearing classical style drapery and the Star of the Order of the Garter. It is probably made by Matthew Noble in Britain in ca. 1860. Although it is inscribed with Noble's name, the piece resembles reduced ivory busts by Benjamin Cheverton and was conceivably produced by Cheverton after Noble's full size marble portrait.
Noble was initially trained by his father, Robert Noble, but then went to study in London under John Francis (1780-1861). He was essentially sculptor in marble, and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1845 to 1876, mostly portrait busts. He also executed a few ideal works, a number of public statues, and many funerary monuments.
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Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha married Queen Victoria in 1840 and took on the role of her private secretary and chief confidential adviser. Throughout his life Albert took a keen interest in arts and sciences, planning and managing the Great Exhibition in 1851. The profits of this successful venture enabled the building of the Albert Hall and the museum in South Kensington. Four years after he was given the title of Prince Consort, Albert died of typhoid fever. The Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1876, was erected in his memory.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- A.221-1969
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
