Lot 46: Ivor Roberts-Jones, R.A. (1913-1996)

Ivor Roberts-Jones, R.A. (1913-1996)
Maquette for the Winston Churchill Monument in Parliament Square
stamped with foundry mark, with estate mark, numbered and dated 'IR-J 2001/A/C3' (on the base)
bronze with a dark brown patina
22½ in. (57.2 cm.) high
The present work is no. 3 in an edition of 3 which was ordered and owned by the sculptor's widow, Mrs Monica Roberts-Jones in 2001. Cast from the original studio plaster by Meridian Foundry under the supervision of Nigel Boonham, F.R.B.S. In circa 1973 the Foundry produced an edition of the maquette which was not cast with the base at the complete height (edition number unknown).

P. Cannon-Brookes, Ivor Roberts-Jones, London, 1983, pp. 51-59.

Studio of Ivor-Roberts-Jones; Christie's, South Kensington, 24 November 2005, lot 50, where purchased by the present owner.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
In 1970, The Royal Fine Arts Commission (members at that time included Henry Moore, O.M., C.H., and John Piper, C.H.) approached nine sculptors to compete for the Parliament Square Winston Churchill Monument commission. Two of these, Ivor Roberts-Jones and Oscar Nemon, were selected to submit revised proposals and by November 1970, the Commission had selected Robert-Jones as the sculptor.

Lady Churchill, however, was determined that it should be Oscar Nemon who won the commission and due to her reservations, the Commissioners agreed to look at two larger maquettes by both sculptors. In 1971, Roberts-Jones was announced as the chosen sculptor and the finished bronze statue was subsequently unveiled in Parliament Square in 1973.

Roberts-Jones' brilliant portrayal of Churchill has since achieved iconic status in the national psyche, the figure exuding total confidence; 'facing the Houses of Parliament, their greatest servant in modern times is portrayed as a giant at the height of his powers' (see P. Cannon-Brookes, Ivor Roberts-Jones, London, 1983, p. 57).