WGoA
FORD, Edward Onslow - b. 1852 London, d. 1901 London - WGA

FORD, Edward Onslow

(b. 1852 London, d. 1901 London)

English sculptor. He studied painting for a short time at the Antwerp Academy in 1870. He decided to take up sculpture while studying under Michael Wagmüller (1839-1881) at Munich in 1871-74. On his return to London he exhibited annually at the Royal Academy from 1875, and at the Grosvenor Gallery from 1879.

Ford produced at first portrait busts and statues, after 1884 chiefly symbolical figures. He made the bronze monument to General Gordon at Chatham 1889-90, the Shelley Memorial at University College, Oxford, 1892, and the colossal figure of Queen Victoria for Manchester 1901. Other works include: “Irving as Hamlet”, 1883; series of bronze statuettes (including “ Folly”), 1886. He adopted polychromy and was one of the leaders with Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934) and Hamo Thornycroft (1850-1925) of the New Sculpture.

He became Associate Member of the Royal Academy (A.R.A.) in 1888 and Royal Academician (R.A.) in 1895).

Applause
Applause by

Applause

Applause represents an Egyptian nude. The figure is clapping rhythmically, perhaps while music or dance is performed. Around the base are Ancient Egyptian deities in silver. The girl’s headdress is studded with semi-precious stones and decorated with enamel. The snakes are symbols of the Kingdoms and Upper and Lower Egypt.

Send Postcard Learn More
Bust of Sir William Quiller Orchardson
Bust of Sir William Quiller Orchardson by

Bust of Sir William Quiller Orchardson

Sir William Quiller Orchardson RA (1832-1910) was a noted Scottish portraitist and painter of domestic and historical subjects who was knighted in June 1907, at the age of 75.

Send Postcard Learn More
Folly
Folly by

Folly

The sculptor presented the embodiment of Folly as a pubescent girl poised precariously on the edge of a dangerous rock. Ford’s casting allows enormous detail and a sensuous surface. It was made using the lost-wax process.

Send Postcard Learn More
The Singer
The Singer by

The Singer

This work of an Egyptian theme is one of a series of statuettes of nudes that Ford made in the 1880s. The technique is unusual, as there are jewels set into the headdress. The base has imitation enamels, and the patina is a bright green.

Send Postcard Learn More
Feedback