Lot 120: Lawrence Macdonald (British, 1799 - 1878)

Lawrence Macdonald (British, 1799 - 1878)
A carved marble portrait bust of a gentleman in classical dress, signed to the back, L.MACDONALD. FECIT. ROMAE 1847, together with a large mahogany column, 49cm wide, 26cm deep, 65cm high (19in wide, 10in deep, 25 1/2in high) the pedestal, 46cm wide x 121cm high

Lawrence MacDonald was born in Perthshire in 1799 and was apprenticed to a local mason called Thomas Gibson before moving to Edinburgh and then to Rome, becoming one of the founding members of the British Academy of Arts there. He remained in Rome from 1831 to 1878 where he worked continuously on portrait busts for the wealthy; many in the Classical style. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, London, and at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. He also exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and included Prince Albert amongst his patrons. Works by MacDonald can be found in the Royal Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum.