Late 18th Century Medallion-in-Wax of Samuel Johnson
A wonderful late 18th century likeness-in-wax, a medallion, of the formidable Dr. Johnson (1709-1784), created by British portrait artist George Wyon (1735-1797). Almost certainly created between 1784 and 1797, after Samuel Johnson's passing and of course before George Wyon's. The wax medallion --with its hand-painted touches-- measures 2" x 2 1/2"; in its original glass-encased black frame the piece measures 6 1/2" x 5 1/4" and has held up remarkably well considering its 230+ years. George Wyon, son of the silversmith Peter Geoge Wyon of Cologne, Germany, was apprenticed to Hennings, George II's goldsmith, and is considered the founder of the family in England. He served the firm of Boulton-at-Soho, entrusted with the design and execution of the famous silver cup presented to Wilkes in 1771 and bearing a representation of the assassination of Julius Caesar. He engraved many dies and executed many medallion potraits through his career. The Dr. Johnson portrait, like Flaxman's famous Wedgwood medallion, is based on Trotter's drawing -- but it is not identical to Flaxman's in pose and is certainly stronger. It was probably intended for a Dr. Johnson (posthumous?) medal, reflecting Johnson's strong position in Birmingham (where Wyon was based at the time). Though, as mentioned above, the medallion was probably executed after Johnson's death, this George Wyon translation-into-relief of Trotter's drawing, can be considered a contribution to Samuel Johnson's iconography. And finally, writtten below the medallion, on the black reflective surface on which it's mounted, are the words "Samuel Johnson L.L.D." Probably wriiten by the artist, George Wyon. Very Good +. Item #21373
Price: $1,000.00