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Francis Derwent Wood
Francis Derwent Wood (15 October 1871– 19 February 1926) was a British sculptor.
Biography
Early life
Wood was born at Keswick in Cumbria and studied in Germany and returned to London in 1887 to work under Édouard Lantéri and Sir Thomas ...
. It shows a naked woman standing in a
contrapposto
''Contrapposto'' () is an Italian term that means "counterpoise". It is used in the visual arts to describe a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot, so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs in the ...
position, glancing to her left, with her left hand by her side and right hand raised to her shoulder. The subject is
Atalanta
Atalanta (; grc-gre, Ἀταλάντη, Atalantē) meaning "equal in weight", is a heroine in Greek mythology.
There are two versions of the huntress Atalanta: one from Arcadia (region), Arcadia, whose parents were Iasus and Clymene (mythology ...
, a virgin huntress from
Greek mythology
A major branch of classical mythology, Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities ...
; she may be preparing for the foot race she used as an obstacle to prevent suitors securing a marriage.
There are three main versions: a plaster version exhibited at the
Royal Academy in 1907; a marble version high exhibited at the academy in 1909 and presented to
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery, formerly Manchester City Art Gallery, is a publicly owned art museum on Mosley Street in Manchester city centre. The main gallery premises were built for a learned society in 1823 and today its collection occupies three ...
by the
National Art Collections Fund
Art Fund (formerly the National Art Collections Fund) is an independent membership-based British charity, which raises funds to aid the acquisition of artworks for the nation. It gives grants and acts as a channel for many gifts and bequests, as ...
in 1919; and a bronze casting which was erected by friends of the sculptor from
Chelsea Arts Club
The Chelsea Arts Club is a private members' club at 143 Old Church Street in Chelsea, London with a membership of over 3,800, including artists, sculptors, architects, writers, designers, actors, musicians, photographers, and filmmakers. The club ...
at
Chelsea Embankment
Chelsea Embankment is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and walkway along the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England.
The western end of Chelsea Embankment, including a stretch of Cheyne Walk, is in the Royal Boroug ...
Gardens, to the west side of
Albert Bridge, in 1929, three years after Wood's death.
The bronze statue in London received a Grade II
listing in 1969. The original casting was stolen in 1991 and replaced by a replica. Nearby are
David Wynne's ''Boy with a Dolphin'' and
Edward Bainbridge Copnall
Edward Bainbridge Copnall (29 August 1903 – 18 October 1973) was a British sculptor and painter. Best known for his architectural and decorative sculptures featuring allegorical and religious subjects. He was the President of the Royal Soci ...
1971 statue of ''David'', a copy of the sculpture by Wood atop the
Machine Gun Corps Memorial
The Machine Gun Corps Memorial, also known as ''The Boy David'', is a memorial to the casualties of the Machine Gun Corps in the First World War. It is located on the north side of the traffic island at Hyde Park Corner in London, near the Welli ...
.
References
Francis Derwent Wood Memorial, Embankment Gardens National Heritage List for England, Historic England
''Atalanta'', Statue, Chelsea Embankment Public Monuments and Sculpture Association
Full-length statue of ''Atalanta'' by Francis Derwent Wood ArtFund
Sculptures from ''Academy architecture, 1904–1908'' A collection of all the sculptures published in vols. 25–34 of ''Academy Architecture'', p. 111.
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1907 sculptures
1909 sculptures
Marble sculptures in the United Kingdom
Collection of Manchester Art Gallery
1929 sculptures
Bronze sculptures in London
Monuments and memorials in London
Outdoor sculptures in London
Statues in London
Grade II listed buildings in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Sculptures of women in London
Sculptures of classical mythology
Nude sculptures in the United Kingdom