Joseph WiltonBritish, 1722–1803Unknown man, possibly Dr Edward Archer
May one see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Unknown man, possibly Dr Edward Archer” now? Victoria and Albert Museum, Sculpture, Room 24, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries, London. Yes, on view now. Checked September 25, 2026.
London, United Kingdom
RoomSculpture, Room 24, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
The dress of the sitter, with the soft cap and loose cravat, suggests he is a professional man, rather than an aristocrat. He may be Dr Edward Archer (1717-1789), an eminent physician who specialised in the treatment of smallpox.
Joseph Wilton was born in London, but trained in the Netherlands, France and Italy from 1744 to 1755. His understanding of antique sculpture, derived from his study of ancient Roman sculpture in Italy, is evident in many of his works. He was appointed Statuary to His Majesty George III in 1761, and in 1768 became a founder member of the Royal Academy. However in the same year he inherited a large legacy from his father and neglected sculpture thereafter; he went bankrupt in 1793.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- A.160-1969
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
