STEVENSON, David Watson - b. 1842 Ratho, d. 1904 Edinburgh

Scottish sculptor, one of the leading sculptors in Scotland during the Victorian era. He trained in Edinburgh under the prominent sculptor William Brodie (1741-1788) and at the Royal Scottish Academy. Success came early to Stevenson, he was awarded the commission for the groups of Labour and Learning for the Prince Consort Memorial in Edinburgh in 1868 and went on to create the monumental statue of William Wallace for the Wallace Monument in Stirling.

He exhibited at the Royal Academy in London between 1868 and 1898. By 1876, Stevenson was an established sculptor and an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy, but he travelled to Rome in that year to continue his studies.

Stevenson became known for his portrait sculptures executed in marble and bronze. His best known and most iconic work is the 1869 bronze figure of William Wallace on the Wallace Monument near Stirling.

His brother, William Grant Stevenson (1849-1919) was also an artist; they worked together as “DW & G Stevenson”. They are buried together in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh.

Nymph at the Stream

The Nymph’s calm solemnity, idealised physiognomy and folds of drapery recall the delicate classicism of an earlier generation of sculptors, notably Lorenzo Bartolini. It is one of several ideal works executed by Stevenson, others include, Galatea, Echo, The Pompeian Mother and The Glee Maiden.