Study for the statue of William Huskisson, M. P.

John Gibson RA (1790 - 1866)

RA Collection: Art

A pen and ink study for Gibson's sculpture of the politician William Huskisson (probably for the second version now in Pimlico Gardens, London - the first version is in St. James' Cemetry, Liverpool). Huskisson is viewed in profile from the left, looking down while holding a scroll by his side in his right hand and with the left arm bent at the elbow and the hand in front of his chest This pose differs slightly from the design of the finished marble statue which depicts the subject with his left hand resting on his right shoulder. The drawing is in pen and brown ink outline with linear highlights in white gouache.

This drawing and 05/678 were engraved and published as a pair in Imitations of Drawings by John Gibson , R.A. Sculptor, Engraved by G. Wenzel and L. Prosseda, Plate 20.

The first version of the statue depicted Huskisson wearing a toga with his right arm and shoulder left bare. This displeased some of the committee who had commissioned the work but Mrs Huskisson wrote to persuade them to retain this feature. In the 1840s Gibson was commissioned to produce a second statue of Huskisson, to be placed in the 'long room' of the Custom House in Liverpool. Gibson returned to England in 1844, partially to see the statue placed in the Custom House but finding this location 'quite unsuitable' it was decided that the statue be cast in bronze so that it could stand outside instead.