Thomas Lawrence death mask, WML

sketchfab

This plaster copy of Thomas Lawrence's death mask in The Wildgoose Memorial Library bears a base inscription that clearly shows A L Vago: an artist, modeler, and phrenologist active in London from approximately 1841 until his own death in 1860. Lawrence's death mask was chosen for inclusion in the WML@KCL to accompany discussions about the Strand's role as a thoroughfare for grand funeral processions en route to St Paul's cathedral. Elected President of the Royal Academy in 1820, Lawrence remained in office until his passing at age 60 in 1830. Following his placement in the model room at the Academy, Lawrence's coffin was carried through an elaborate funeral procession to St Paul's Cathedral, where he was laid to rest alongside Joshua Reynolds and Benjamin West in the crypt.