Matthew Noble

Matthew Noble (23 March 1817 – 23 June 1876) was a leading British portrait sculptor. Carver of numerous monumental figures and busts including work, memorializing Victorian era royalty and statesmen, displayed in locations such as Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and Parliament Square, London.[1]

Matthew Noble
Noble pictured in
The Illustrated London News,
8 July 1876
Born23 March 1817
Died23 June 1876(1876-06-23) (aged 59)
Kensington, London, England
NationalityBritish
Known forSculpture

Life

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Noble was born in Hackness, near Scarborough, as the son of a stonemason, and served his apprenticeship under his father. He left Yorkshire for London when quite young, there he studied under John Francis (the father of sculptor Mary Thornycroft). Exhibiting regularly at the Royal Academy from 1845 until his death, Noble became recognised after winning the competition to construct the Wellington Monument in Manchester in 1856.

Noble created a large body of work including portrait busts, statues and monuments. The deaths of two his sons, including Herbert (himself a promising sculptor, who was killed, aged 19, in a 1876 railway accident) are said to have contributed to Noble's own early death, aged 58, in June of the same year.[2] He is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London, on the west side of the main entrance path from the north, towards the central colonnade.[3] His uncompleted works were finished by his assistant Joseph Edwards, who also discarded the studio's plaster models.[2]

Selected works

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1845-1849

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DateTypeMaterialDimensionsDesignationWikidataNotes

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George HudsonNational Railway Museum, York1847BustMarble[4]
William SmithOxford University Museum of Natural History1848BustMarble[5]
John PhilipsOxford University Museum of Natural History1849BustMarble[6]

1850-1859

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DateTypeMaterialDimensionsDesignationWikidataNotes

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Robert PeelMarket Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire1853Statue on pedestalBronzeGrade IIQ26491486[7]

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Robert PeelConcert Hall of St George's Hall, Liverpool1853Statue in alcoveMarble[8]
Captain Edmund Moubray LyonsSt Paul's Cathedral, LondonAfter 1855Curved relief panelMarble[9]
Archbishop HarcourtYork Minster1855Effigy on altar tombMarble
77th Regiment of Foot Crimean War memorialSt Paul's Cathedral, London1856PlaqueMarble[10]

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Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of WellingtonPiccadilly Gardens, Manchester1856Statue on pedestal with supporting figuresBronze and graniteGrade IIQ26561101[11][12][13]

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Queen VictoriaThe Crescent, Salford1857Statue on pedestalLimestoneGrade IIQ26665923[11][14]
Joseph BrothertonPeel Park, Salford1858Statue on pedestalBronze and stone[15]

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James George Smith NeillWellington Square, Ayr1859Statue on pedestal with plaquesBronze and stoneCategory BQ17838465[16]

1860-1869

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DateTypeMaterialDimensionsDesignationWikidataNotes
Mountstuart ElphinstoneCrypt of St Paul's Cathedral, LondonAfter 1859StatueStone[17]

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Archbishop MusgraveYork Minster1860Effigy on altar tomb

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Marquess of Anglesey's ColumnLlanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey1860Statue on columnBrass statue12 foot statue on 100 ft columnGrade II*Q17742135Column architect, Thomas Harrison.[11][18][19]

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Admiral Edmund Lyons, 1st Baron LyonsSt Paul's Cathedral, London1862Statue on pedestalMarble[20][21]

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Sir James Outram, 1st BaronetWestminster Abbey, London1863Bust on pedestal with supporting figuresMarble[22][23]

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Robert Bentley ToddKing's College Hospital, London1863Statue on pedestalMarbleRelocated 1913[24]
Albert, Prince ConsortThe Crescent, Salford1864Statue on pedestalLimestoneGrade II[11][25]

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Albert, Prince ConsortAlbert Square, Manchester1862-1865Statue on pedestal with spired canopyMarble statueGrade IQ50281233Canopy by Thomas Worthington[26][27]
Archibald Montgomerie, 13th Earl of EglintonWellington Square, Ayr1865Statue on pedestalBronze and stoneCategory BQ17838485[28]

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Sir John FranklinWaterloo Place, London1866Statue on pedestal with relief panelsBronze and graniteGrade IIQ26319141[11][29]
George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of SutherlandCliveden, Buckinghamshire1866Statue on pedestalBronze and graniteGrade II[30]

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George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of SutherlandNear Dunrobin Castle railway station, Golspie, Scotland1866Statue on pedestalBronze and graniteCategory BQ17829346[31][32]

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Sir Peter FairbairnWoodhouse Square, Leeds1868Statue on pedestalBronze and graniteGrade IIQ26547184[11][33]

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Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount PalmerstonMarket Place, Romsey1868Statue on pedestalBronze and pink marbleGrade IIQ26525831[11][34]

1870 and later

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DateTypeMaterialDimensionsDesignationWikidataNotes

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Sir James Outram, 1st BaronetVictoria Embankment Gardens, London1871Statue on pedestalBronze and graniteGrade IIQ20054478[11][35][36]
Sir James RamsdenDuke Street, Barrow-in-Furness1872Statue on pedestalBronze and graniteGrade II[11][37]
Harriet Howard, 2nd Duchess of SutherlandDunrobin Castle, Golspie, Scotland1872Bust in canopy with spireBronze and graniteCategory B[38][39]
Queen VictoriaSt Thomas' Hospital, London1873Seated statue on pedestalMarble and stoneQ93424107[40][41]
Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of DerbyMiller Park, Preston1873Statue on pedestalMarble and granite7.3m tallGrade II[42]

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Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of DerbyParliament Square, London1874Statue on pedestal with relief panelsBronze and graniteGrade IIQ18116483[11][43][44]

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George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of AberdeenWestminster Abbey, London1874BustMarble[45]

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Sir John FranklinWestminster Abbey, London1875Bust and surroundMarble and alabaster[46]

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Oliver CromwellWythenshawe Hall, Manchester1875Statue on roughly-hewn pedestal and baseBronze and graniteGrade IIQ26546639[11][47][48]
Samuel Lister, 1st Baron MashamLister Park, Bradford1875Statue on pedestal with reliefsMarble, granite and bronzeGrade II[11][49]

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Robert PeelParliament Square, London1876Statue on pedestalBronze and red graniteGrade IIQ19277831[11][50]
Bishop Thomas CarrSt. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai

Church monuments and memorials

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Throughout his career Noble was responsible for creating a number of monuments and memorials for British churches and cathedrals. Examples include

Memorial to Lady Vanden Bempde-Johnstone in the Chancel of the Church of St Peter, Hackness

Other works

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David Napier, 1871

References

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  1. ^ Robinson, Leonard (2007). William Etty: The Life and Art. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 418. ISBN 978-0-7864-2531-0.
  2. ^ a b University of Glasgow History of Art / HATII (2011). "Matthew Noble". Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain & Ireland 1851–1951. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  3. ^ Benjamin Wheatley, Henry (1891). London, Past and Present: Its History, Associations, and Traditions · Volume 1. London: John Murray. p. 282.
  4. ^ "Marble bust of George Hudson (1800-1871)". Science Museum Group. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Henry Smith (1826-1883)". Art UK. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  6. ^ "John Phillips (1800-1874)". Art UK. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Sir Robert Peel, Market Street (1196996)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  8. ^ Richard Pollard & Nikolaus Pevsner (2006). The Buildings of England: Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. p. 296. ISBN 0-300-10910-5.
  9. ^ "Memorial to Captain Edmund Moubray Lyons". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Crimean War Memorial to the 77th East Middlesex Regiment". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Jo Darke (1991). The Monument Guide to England and Wales. Macdonald Illustrated. ISBN 0-356-17609-6.
  12. ^ Historic England. "Wellington Statue, Piccadilly (1271115)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Wellington Monument". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  14. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Queen Victoria, The Crescent (1386181)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Peel Park, Salford". Parks & Gardens. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  16. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Wellington Square, Monument to James George Smith Neill, CB (Category B Listed Building) (LB21821)". Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Monument to Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone (1779-1859)". Art UK. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  18. ^ Cadw. "Anglesey Column (5432)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Monument to Field Marshall Lord Anglesey". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Monument to Admiral Lord Edmund Lyons (1790-1858)". Art UK. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Memorial to Edmund, Lord Lyons". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Sir James Outram". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Monument to James Outram". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Sir Robert Bentley Todd, Statue, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill". Public Monuments and Sculpture Association. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  25. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Prince Albert, The Crescent (1386180)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  26. ^ Historic England. "Albert Memorial (1197820)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Prince Albert Memorial". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  28. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Wellington Square, Monument to Archibald William, Earl of Eglinton and Wintoun (Category B Listed Building) (LB21822)". Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  29. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Sir John Franklin (1066145)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  30. ^ Historic England. "Statue of George, Second Duke of Sutherland, Cliveden (1165759)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  31. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Dunrobin Castle Monument, 2nd Duke of Sutherland (Category B Listed Building) (LB7051)". Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  32. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Dunrobin Castle (Category A Listed Building) (LB7044)". Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  33. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Sir Peter Fairbairn (1255605)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  34. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Lord Palmerston, Market Place (1232293)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  35. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Sir James Outram (1237908)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  36. ^ "Monument to Sir James Outram". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  37. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Sir James Ramsden (1210082)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  38. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Dunrobin Castle, Duchess Harriet Memorial (Category B Listed Building) (LB7048)". Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  39. ^ "Harriet Howard, Second Duchess of Sutherland (1806-1868)". Art UK. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  40. ^ "Queen Victoria (1819-1901)". Art UK. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  41. ^ "Monument to Queen Victoria". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  42. ^ Historic England. "Derby Monument (1218485)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  43. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby (1226372)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  44. ^ "Statue of Lord Derby". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  45. ^ "George Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  46. ^ "Sir John Franklin". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  47. ^ Historic England. "Park statue of Cromwell approximately 100 metres east of Wythenshawe Hall (1255035)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  48. ^ "Statue of Oliver Cromwell". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  49. ^ Historic England. "Lister Memorial, Lister Park (1038944)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  50. ^ Historic England. "Statue of Sir Robert Peel (1265874)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  51. ^ Historic England. "Church of All Saints (1148764)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  52. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Peter (1296564)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  53. ^ Historic England. "Church of All Saints (1316111)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  54. ^ Historic England. "Tomb of Thomas Hood, Harrow Road, W10 (1389172)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  55. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Mark (1227895)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  56. ^ Historic England. "Church of All Saints (1061911)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  57. ^ Historic England. "The De Grey Mausoleum adjoining the Church of St John the Baptist (1113904)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  58. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Peter (1188814)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  59. ^ Historic England. "Church of Saint Mary the Virgin (1361854)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  60. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Lawrence and coffin lids and benches on south side (1189902)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  61. ^ a b c Mary Ann Steggles & Richard Barnes (2011). British Sculpture in India: New Views & Old Memories. Frontier Publishing. ISBN 9781872914411.
  62. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Andrew (1371950)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  63. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Mary and All Saints, Park Drive (1190214)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  64. ^ a b Diane Bilbey with Marjorie Trusted (2002). British Sculpture 1470 to 2000 A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. V&A Publications. ISBN 1851773959.
  65. ^ "Bust of Oliver Cromwell". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  66. ^ "Bust of Prince Albert". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  67. ^ "Bust of Queen Victoria". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  68. ^ "Bust of Thomas Goadsby". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  69. ^ "Statue of Prince Albert". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  70. ^ "Statue of Queen Victoria". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  71. ^ "Bust of Edward, Prince of Wales". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  72. ^ "Bust of Princess of Wales, later Queen Alexandra". The Courtauld Institute of Art. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  73. ^ Historic England. "Memorial to Second Baron Feversham (1315924)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
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