Highland Mary

myminifactory

Benjamin Spence was born in Liverpool, where his father William Spence, a locally acclaimed sculptor, had established himself. In 1845, he traveled to Rome, where he would spend the rest of his life, immersing himself in the city's artistic landscape. Spence's renowned statue exploits the Victorian era's fascination with Scottish themes, drawing heavily from the legend of Robert Burns. A pivotal episode in this narrative is famously depicted in various paintings from the period, although it remains largely unknown in sculpture form. Mary Campbell, the poet's beloved companion, holds a Bible given to her by Burns at their final meeting. Tragically, she succumbed to a fever shortly thereafter. Spence crafted at least five stunning marble versions of "Highland Mary," one of which was purchased by Prince Albert in 1854 as a birthday gift for Queen Victoria. The present statue is part of the extensive collection owned by John Naylor, a prominent Liverpool banker whose family Spence had previously honored through two group portraits now on display at Sudley Art Gallery.