Lawrence Macdonald
(Findo Gask, Scotland 1799-1878 Rome)

Hyacinthus

White marble
Signed and dated L. MACDONALD SCULP, ROMA, 1842
Carved by the artist ca. 1842
Height 141 cm

This exquisite statue of Hyacinthus was commissioned by John Gladstone (1764-1851) and is the first example of three variants of the subject known to be in existence. In 1852 Macdonald reproduced a version for Prince Albert which remains in the Royal Collection and is displayed in the Marble Hall at Buckingham Palace. It shows Hyacinthus without his chaplet and the tree stump draped with a robe. A third version shows Hyacinthus wearing sandals, as opposed to barefoot as in the present example and that in the Royal Collection, without his chaplet and with the tree stump draped.

 

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