Jean Michel Rysbrack 1693-1770

We are grateful to Geoffrey Fisher who has suggested that both the present drawings relate to Rysbrack's monument to James, 1st Earl Stanhope (1673-1721). The blue wash drawing appears to be an early work by Rysbrack, showing the influence of Flemish tomb sculpture, and possibly dates from the 1720s.The cartouche is surmounted by an earl's coronet and the design of the sarcophagus is close to Rybrack's tomb to Earl Stanhope. Stanhope died in 1721 but the monument was not erected until 1733 and this appears to be an early design for it. The brown wash drawing appears to be a later design for the same work. The naval scene in the relief might relate to the taking of Minorca which was regarded as Stanhope's finest achievement. Also the baton held by the deceased in the design is the attribute of a general and the toga is appropriate for a soldier turned statesman.