Donald Gilbert (1900 - 1961)

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Donald Gilbert (1900–1961), full-name Hubert Donald Macgeoch Gilbert, was an English sculptor and modeller.

Gilbert studied at the Birmingham Central School of Art, the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools, the latter from 1922-27. He was recommended for the RA Schools by his father, the sculptor Walter Gilbert (1871–1946), with whom he later collaborated. Whilst at the RA Schools he was awarded a second prize of £20 and a bronze medal, for a model of a design of a subject combined with architecture, in 1924. (See: Royal Academy, ‘Annual Report, 1924’, (1925), p. 32). In 1925 he won a £10 prize and silver medal for a design in relief containing figure and ornament. (See: ‘Annual Report, 1925’, (1926), p. 36).

He exhibited at Royal Society of Artists Birmingham, Glasgow Institute of Fine Art, Walker Gallery Liverpool, Royal Academy (between 1925-1960), Royal Hibernian Academy and the Royal Scottish Academy.

Known as an animal and decorative sculptor, he lso produced portrait busts, e.g. a bust of John Logie Baird in the National Portrait Gallery collection (bronze 1959, based on a work of 1943 [RA annual exhibition 1943, Cat. 952]). His principal sculptural work is a carving for the Adelphi Building in London.

He designed wares for the Bourne Denby pottery and made at Ashtead Potters Ltd. His principal sculptural work is a carving for the Adelphi Building in London.

Profile

Born: 1900 in Burcot

Died: 1961

RA Schools student from 12 December 1922 to December 1927

Gender: Male