Richard Westmacott (the elder)

Richard Westmacott (the elder) (1747–1808) was an 18th-century monumental sculptor and the beginning of a dynasty of one of Britain's most important sculpting families. He also specialised in fireplace design for many of England's grand country houses.

Life[edit]

He was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford.^{[citation needed]}

He married Sarah Vardy, daughter of Thomas Vardy,^[1] carver, and niece of John Vardy, architect, and had thirteen children by her. He also had an affair with a widow, Susan Molloy, landlady of the "Bull and Horns" public house in Fulham and had at least one child by her also.^[2]

Westmacott was declared bankrupt in 1803, and was likely supported thereafter by his by then successful son Richard.^{[citation needed]}

He died in relative poverty in 1808.

Dynasty[edit]

His sons include: George Westmacott (c. 1770 – 1827); Thomas Westmacott (architect) (c. 1775 – 1798); Sir Richard Westmacott (1775–1856) RA (the most successful and prodigious sculptor of the family); Henry Westmacott (sculptor) (1784–1861); Charles Molloy Westmacott, illegitimate son (1782–1868) (an author who dabbled in sculpture).

His grandsons included: James Sherwood Westmacott (1823–1900) (sculptor); and Richard Westmacott (the younger) (1799–1872) (sculptor).

Works[edit]

• Fireplace for the Music Room, Cobham Hall, Kent, 1778
• Monument to Prince Sutton, Devizes, Wiltshire, 1779
• Fireplace for Corsham Court, 1780
• Marble floor, Methuen Chapel, North Wraxall Church, Somerset, 1781
• Monument to Sir Thomas Stapleton, Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire, 1781
• Fireplace for State Bedroom, Warwick Castle
• All ornamental fireplaces, New Gorhambury House, Hertfordshire c. 1784
• Several ornate fireplaces for the Admiralty in London, 1788
• Marble fireplace, Woburn Abbey 1790
• Monument to Sir Lister Holte, Aston, Birmingham, 1790
• Monument to Samuel Dennis, St John's College, Oxford, 1795
• Fireplaces and other ornamentation at Kensington Palace, 1796

References[edit]

• The Buildings of England, Nikolaus Pevsner