Sir John Watson Gordon PRSA, 1788-1864, Artist
Sculptor: Park, Patric, RSA · 1811-1855
The bust was made in the aftermath of Watson Gordon's unanimous election as President of the Royal Scottish Academy following the death of Sir William Allan in February 1850.
The loose fabric draped around his shoulders evokes the attire of a Roman Emperor and he clearly wears a thick chain from which a large circular medal is suspended but concealed in the folds of the toga.
A degree of artistic licence has been deployed by the sculptor in this feature. Although the Academy had engaged [Sir] Joseph Noel Paton RSA to undertake the design of the Presidential Medal as early as August 1850, Paton's ill-health and natural procrastination delayed completion until 1855. His initial designs were not tabled until 1853 the year after Park had sculpted the present work.
In 1855 Paton was further asked to design the chain and suspension loop.
The link of the chain is significantly different from that finally designed by Paton although the diameter of the medal is not far off.
Additional details
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Object data
Date 1852 Accession 2000.042 Type Bust Marble Materials Bust marble Dimensions 72cm x 57cm x 37cm x 14cm x 24cm Acquisition Gift Watson, Henry George (March 6th, 1869) -
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