Henry Webber facts for kids
Henry Webber (born 1754, died 1826) was a talented English artist who made sculptures and models. He was known for creating beautiful figures and designs.
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Early Life and Training
Henry Webber was born in July 1754. His father, Abraham Webber, was a sculptor from Switzerland who had moved to England. His mother was Maria Quandt.
When he was young, Henry learned his craft by working with a famous sculptor named John Bacon the Elder. He also studied at the Royal Academy schools, which is a very important art school in London. In 1776, he won the Royal Academy Gold Medal, a big award for young artists.
In 1778, Henry was chosen for a special project in Oxford. He was supposed to create sculptures and sphinxes (mythical creatures with a human head and a lion's body) for the Magdalen Bridge. However, the plan was later cancelled in 1782. Henry was paid for his work and allowed to keep the sculptures he had already made.
Working with Josiah Wedgwood
In 1782, two famous people, Sir William Chambers and Sir Joshua Reynolds, recommended Henry Webber to Josiah Wedgwood. Wedgwood was a very well-known potter who created beautiful pottery and china.
Henry started working for Wedgwood at his factory in a place called Etruria, Staffordshire. By 1785, Henry became the main sculptor there, a job he kept until 1806.
In 1787, Wedgwood sent Henry on a trip to Rome to study art. During this trip, he also visited his family's home in Switzerland and traveled to Paris. He came back to England in 1789.
Famous Works
Henry Webber created many important pieces. One of his most famous works is the monument for David Garrick, a famous actor. This monument is located in Poet's Corner inside Westminster Abbey, a very important church in London. Another sculptor, John Hickey, had started the project, but Henry finished it after Hickey passed away.
Henry also designed many small portrait medallions, which are like small sculpted pictures of people. One of these was the Sydney Cove medallion. He also sculpted many of the figures that were used on Wedgwood's famous Portland Vase, a very detailed and ancient-looking vase.
Later Life
Henry Webber passed away on August 7, 1826. He died at a house in Bedford Square in central London.
Key Sculptures
- David Garrick monument in Westminster Abbey (finished 1797)
- Henry Askew monument in Newcastle Cathedral (1801)
