John Edward Jones (1806-1862) and Emil Wolff (1802-1879) British and German, 1854 and 1842

Bust of Albert: Sotheby's London, 3 July 1986, lot 153;
the pair: with Christopher Wood, London, 1988

London, Christopher Wood Gallery at Mallet, An Exhibition of Paintings, Watercolours, Drawings and Works of Art, 1988

An Exhibition of Paintings, Watercolours, Drawings and Works of Art, Christopher Wood Gallery at Mallet, London, 1988 (unpaginated)

Overall the condition of the marbles is good with some dirt and wear to the surfaces consistent with age. There are a number of small chips and abrasions to the marbles, in particular to Albert's armour and to the back of the figures. The marbles may have been outside as there are some losses to the surface detail, possibly due to weathering. There are a number of small, naturally occurring, inclusions, including to the chests of both figures and to Albert's neck and forehead. There is naturally occurring veining, in particular to the bust of Albert, including at the upper back and below the signature. The left corner below the signature is replaced or restored. There is a slightly open, stable, vein at Albert's proper right shoulder and two at the top of Victoria's socle.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

When Queen Victoria married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on 10th February 1840, Albert had recently returned from a Grand Tour of Italy. During his stay in Italy in 1839 he sat for his fellow German, Emil Wolff, a well-known sculptor in Rome. Wolff went on to become Prince Albert's favourite sculptor and he was invited to Windsor to make portrait studies. The present bust of Albert probably results from the sittings at Windsor. Only three versions of this portrait are known. One is in the Royal Collection and another was donated by Albert to the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation.

The bust of Queen Victoria dates from a slightly later period and a version of the model, which may be identifable with the present marble, was exhibited by its author John Edward Jones at the Royal Academy in 1854.

RELATED LITERATURE
F. Leone, A Rediscovered Marble Bust of Prince Albert by Emil Wolff, Rome, 2012; A. Graves, The Royal Academy of Arts: A Complete Dictionary of Contributors, vol. IV, London, 1906, pp. 274-6