Christ

Cardwell made this bust when in Rome in 1865. It is a reduced copy of the original full-length figure of Christ produced by Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1821 for the Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen, now Copenhagen Cathedral. Accompanying figures of the Twelve Apostles were produced by Thorvaldsen between 1821-1842, which together with the Christ were displayed in the interior of the Church. The figure of Christ, which is regarded as one of the best-known and most affecting religious images of the 19th century, was widely copied and imitated.

Holme Cardwell (1820-1864) attended the Royal Academy Schools in 1834, and in 1841 travelled to Paris where he studied under David d'Angers (1788-1856). Cardwell later settled in Rome. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1837 and 1856, at the British Institution in 1840, and twice at the Suffolk Street Galleries.