The left foot of Mary Ann Viney-Evans, 1st Viscountess Beaconsfield (1792-1872)
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
c. 1810 - 1872
Materials
Marble
Measurements
5 x 5 in
Order this imageCollection
Hughenden, Buckinghamshire
NT 429107
Caption
On a desk in the library at Hughenden sits a marble sculpture of a left foot. Perhaps inspired by the marbles of the classical world so admired by the Victorians, the foot was modelled from Mary Ann Viney-Evans (1792–1872), the wife of former prime minister and prominent statesman Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81). Disraeli’s courtship of the wealthy widow – herself something of an unconventional figure – was dismissed by many as fortune-hunting. Their relationship, however, developed into one of mutual respect and love. Much like death masks, copies of hands or feet helped immortalise or preserve a person’s features. These mementos could then be displayed as ornaments or kept as personal keepsakes. We do not know which artist created this piece, but the unusual choice was possibly another tribute to the Greek and Roman sculpture coveted at the time, inspired by the remains of ancient statues on display in institutions such as the British Museum.
Summary
Sculpture, white marble, The left foot of Mary Ann Viney-Evans, 1st Viscountess Beaconsfield (1792-1872)Marble sculpture of Lady Beaconsfield's left foot. On rectangular base.