Valor and Cowardice

myminifactory

After a lengthy selection process, the lesser-known sculptor Alfred Stevens was awarded the commission to create a monument honoring the Duke of Wellington. Stevens had already produced a reduced version of his intended monument as his competition model in 1857. This model is also part of the Museum's collections (Museum no. 44-1878). The group and its companion depicting Truth and Falsehood (Museum no. 321A-1878) are full-size models for the bronze groups featured on the Wellington monument in St Paul's Cathedral. Stevens did not complete these works until 1866. In this work, the draped female figure of Valour triumphantly crushes the struggling figure of Cowardice beneath a shield. The entire monument comprised a triumphal arch with the bier and recumbent effigy of Wellington. The colossal figures of Truth and Falsehood and Valour and Cowardice were placed on either side. Stevens did not complete the monument until 1912, almost 40 years after his death. As a sculptor, designer, and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18-1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857, he served as chief designer for Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he created award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments, and chimney-pieces. Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, particularly the work of Michelangelo. The monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument had a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Stevens' work and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument. This model is a plaster cast of an original by Alfred Stevens (1817-75). Gallery location: Sculpture, Room 22, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries, case FS This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open-source community effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London