John Gibson RA

To mark the 150th anniversary of his death, this exhibition highlights the sculpture of John Gibson RA.

John Gibson (1790–1866) was the most successful British sculptor of his generation. Born in Conwy, Wales, he moved to Italy in 1817 and settled in Rome where he studied with the famous neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova before setting up his own studio in the city. By the time he made his first return visit to the UK in 1844, ‘Gibson of Rome’ was a famous artist and soon became one of Prince Albert’s favourite sculptors, producing several portraits of Queen Victoria.

Timed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Gibson’s death, this display presents a selection of more than 30 works from Gibson’s important bequest to the Royal Academy. These include marble sculptures like his Narcissus, plaster reliefs such as The Meeting of Hero and Leander as well as drawings from his studio. Despite the status that Gibson enjoyed during his lifetime, his reputation faded during the 20th century and this will be the first temporary exhibition to focus solely on his work.

8 September — 18 December 2016

Tuesday – Friday, 10am–4pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am–6pm
Closed Monday

Complimentary entry with a valid Royal Academy exhibition ticket or £3 General Admission ticket. Friends of the RA and under 16s go free.

Tennant Gallery and Council Room

Gallery

Sir Edwin Landseer RA, Portrait of John Gibson RA, ca. 1850.

Bequeathed by Sir Edwin Landseer RA, 1874.

Oil on canvas. 92.50 x 72.0 x 2.50 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London; Photographer: John Hammond.

John Gibson RA, Cupid pursuing Psyche, Before 1843.

Bequeathed by John Gibson RA, 1866.

Marble relief. 72.40 x 103.50 x 10.50 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London.

John Gibson RA, Psyche borne by a Zephyr.

Bequeathed by John Gibson RA, 1866.

Pen and ink with wash on wove paper. 18.70 x 13.70 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London.

John Gibson RA, The Meeting of Hero and Leander, ca. 1842.

Bequeathed by John Gibson RA, 1866.

Plaster relief. 116.0 x 109.0 x 16.0 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London.

John Gibson RA, Narcissus, 1838.

Diploma Work, accepted 1838.

Marble. 108.0 x 71.0 x 48.0 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London.

John Gibson RA, Sleeping Shepherd Boy, 1818.

Bequeathed by John Gibson RA, 1866.

Plaster. 110.50 x 47.0 x 94.0 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London.

John Gibson RA, The Marriage of Psyche and Celestial Love, ca. 1844.

Bequeathed by John Gibson RA, 1866.

Plaster relief. 103.0 x 142.0 x 15.0 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London.

John Gibson RA, Monument to Lady Leicester: Angel carrying infant and leading mother to heaven, ca.1844.

Bequeathed by John Gibson RA, 1866.

Plaster cast. 181.0 x 126.50 x 18.0 cm. © Royal Academy of Arts, London.

The Gibson Trail

- John Gibson: A British Sculptor in Rome
  
  This timely publication sheds lights on the sculptor John Gibson RA, one of the Victorian era’s most celebrated though often overlooked artists.
  
  John Gibson: A British Sculptor in Rome uses letters, plaster reliefs, marbles, drawings, notebooks and objects he bequeathed to the Royal Academy – some reproduced here for the first time – to present a comprehensive account of Gibson and his time in the workshop of Canova, the greatest of Neoclassical artists.
  
  Buy now

- About the Tennant Gallery
  
  The Tennant Gallery is one of the RA’s hidden treasures: a space in the original part of Burlington House dedicated to displays based on our historic and diverse Collection. Its changing programme highlights the life and work of Royal Academicians from 1768 to today, with past exhibitions including Dream, Draw, Work: Architectural Drawings by Norman Shaw RA, Charles Stewart: Black and White Gothic, and Hide and Seek: Drawings by Eileen Cooper RA.
  
  Tennant Gallery displays are free to enter with a valid Royal Academy exhibition ticket, for Friends of the RA and for under-16s.
  
  Find out more about the RA Collection, its unusual history and our exciting plans for 2018 in this video about RA250.