Henry Hugh Armstead RA (1828 - 1905)
RA Collection: Art
A silver centrepiece in the form of a rose-water bowl with a central pedestal supporting a figure of Prometheus (or Jove) and an eagle. Around the bowl are six medallion heads of Royal Academy Presidents: Reynolds, West, Lawrence, Shee, Eastlake and Grant, and a ribbon inscribed Chambers, Wilson, Gainsborough, Gibson, Leslie, Charles Barry, Etty, Chantry, Wilkie, Constable, Turner and Flaxman.
In Greek myth the Titan Prometheus defied Zeus by teaching mortals how to make fire. As a punishment he was chained to a rock where an eagle would peck out his liver each day. The liver grew back every night and the process was constantly repeated. The connection between Prometheus and British artists is not immediately obvious but it is probably connected with the idea that the Titan's gift of fire was the spark of human creativity.
This spectacular centrepiece was commissioned to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Academy and paid for by Royal Academicians.
480 mm x 305 mm x 305 mm
Henry Hugh Armstead RA
Study of a male nude for a silver centrepiece designed by Armstead for presentation to the Royal Academy, c. 1872
Pencil with white highlights on green wove paper
Henry Hugh Armstead RA
Study of a male nude for a silver centrepiece designed by Armstead for presentation to the Royal Academy, c. 1872
Pencil with white highlights on green wove paper
Henry Hugh Armstead RA
Study of a male nude, in profile, for a silver centrepiece designed by Armstead for presentation to the Royal Academy, c. 1872
Pencil with white highlights on green wove paper
Henry Hugh Armstead RA
Study of a male nude, in profile, for a silver centrepiece designed by Armstead for presentation to the Royal Academy, c. 1872
Pencil with white highlights on green wove paper
Henry Hugh Armstead RA
Study of a male nude for a silver centrepiece designed by Armstead for presentation to the Royal Academy, c. 1872
Pencil with white highlights on green wove paper
Henry Hugh Armstead RA
Three sketches of a male figure and an eagle for a silver centrepiece designed by Armstead for presentation to the Royal Academy, c. 1872
Pencil on cream laid paper