Alfred Frank Hardiman

About the artist

Alfred Frank Hardiman (1891-1949) was born in London, son of a talented silversmith in Holborn. When he left school he trained as a draughtsman and attended the Central School for Arts and Crafts. It was in 1912 that he won a London County Council Scholarship to the Royal College of Art. He attended the college at the same time as Charles Wheeler and Gilbert Ledward (both of whom are also represented in our archive).

Soon after his studies, Hardiman joined the Royal Academy, an institute which he would have close association with for his whole life. In 1936 he was elected an associate, and in 1944 he became a full Academician. Like many sculptors and artists of this generation, his career was put on hold with the outbreak of the First World War. During this time Hardiman served as an engineer’s draughtsman in the Royal Flying Corps.

When he returned to studying, Hardiman received the coveted British Prix de Rome scholarship, spending two years at the British School at Rome. His style evolved at this time, drawing influence from naturalism and stylised classicism. Portrait sculptures lent themselves well to the skills that Hardiman had learnt, evident in work such as his bust of Sir Alexander Jeans in Liverpool.

Although practicing in portrait sculpture, monumental and architectural sculpture would come to dominate Hardiman’s career. One of his well-known large-scale sculptures is of Earl Haig, situated on Whitehall, London. From the outset and throughout the making process, Hardiman received many critiques on his work, from the stance of Haig to the horse he was riding. Through compromises, the sculpture was revealed in 1937, eight years after it was originally commissioned. To this day, Haig and his sculpture remain controversial.

His style of ancient forms imbued with a strong decorative sense really came through in his architectural sculpture, such as the commissions for London’s County Hall. Here, Hardiman was asked to create sculptures representing four themes: Recreation, Town Planning, Child Education and Care of the Sick.

Hardiman continued to produce wonderful monumental sculpture throughout his career. Other notable works include the heraldic lions situated on the entrance to Norwich Town Hall; Calvary in Old St Paul’s Cathedral, Edinburgh; and a nine foot bronze statue of St George, made for the home of Stephen Courtauld.

What’s in the collection?

We hold substantial material relating to the life and work of Alfred Frank Hardiman in the archive. You can find over 300 photographs of his work, personal papers, correspondence about sculpture commissions and exhibitions, and a collection of press cuttings and publications relating to his work.

Related exhibitions