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Medallion portrait of the composer George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
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Attributed to Louis François Roubiliac (1702 - 1762), sculptor
Medallion portrait of the composer George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Plaster, painted in imitation of terracotta
Inscription: GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL
Museum number: M280
Not on display
Curatorial note
This portrait medallion has been attributed to Roubiliac since at least the early twentieth century although Soane's inventories c.1835-37 do not record the sculptor's name. Since no sitters books survive for Roubiliac it cannot be securely dated and the attribution cannot be substantiated by documentary evidence. However, this fine relief of Handel in contemporary dress appears to be based on the facial features (and hair) of the plaster portrait bust by Roubiliac at Gloucester Cathedral and the attribution to Roubiliac has been upheld in recent scholarship.
It is inscribed with the fully anglicised version of Handel's German forenames rather than the standard George Frideric Handel usually used in England today (as in the Dictionary of National Biography).
It is inscribed with the fully anglicised version of Handel's German forenames rather than the standard George Frideric Handel usually used in England today (as in the Dictionary of National Biography).
Literature
J. M. Coopersmith, 'A List of Portraits, Sculptures, etc., of Georg Friedrich Händel' in Music & Letters Vol. 13, No. 2 (Apr., 1932), pp. 156-167
Sir John Soane's Museum Handbook, 10th edition, 1920, pp.68-69
J.V.G. Mallet, 'Some portrait medallions by Roubiliac', Burlington Magazine, CIV, 1962, p.157, note 19.
National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Kerslake, Early Georgian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1977 (now out of print but availalble via the NPG website) see entry for Handel
Sir John Soane's Museum Handbook, 10th edition, 1920, pp.68-69
J.V.G. Mallet, 'Some portrait medallions by Roubiliac', Burlington Magazine, CIV, 1962, p.157, note 19.
National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Kerslake, Early Georgian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1977 (now out of print but availalble via the NPG website) see entry for Handel
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk