William Dyce

This is a roundel and model for the obverse of the Art Union Laudatory Medal depicting William Dyce, and is made by George Gammon Adams.

William Dyce (1806-64) was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen and took an MA degree at the age of sixteen. In 1825 he went to Rome where he studied pre-Raphaelite art and originated that school of painting in England with his 'Madonna and Child' in 1828. He was elected F.R.S of Edinburgh, 1832 and Professor of Fine Arts, Kings College London in 1844 where he delivered, and subsequently published a lecture on the 'Theory of the Fine Arts'. He became a Royal Academician in 1848.

George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.

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The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.