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See & Do

Francis John Williamson

Our archive of Francis John Williamson (1833-1920) contains modelling tools used by the sculptor over a hundred years ago, as well as comprehensive photography of his work, most of which were taken by the artist and his wife.

Three black and white photos of a two different figurative sculptures. They depict the same young man, who is standing casually. In one sculpture he holds the folds of a cape he is wearing in one arm. In the other, one hand rests on the head of a dog at his feet, who is looking up at him loyally.

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Black and white portrait photo of a formally dressed older man with a mutton chops beard.

A modelling tool with a wooden handle and a long, curved piece of metal.

A wooden modelling tool, with loops of metal at both ends.

Black and white photo of a sculpture of a Queen Victoria, standing in a regal pose.

Black and white photo of a several round relief sculptures, depicting Queen Victoria and other people in silhouette.

Two black and white photos of a standing nude woman with long, flowing hair. Her left arm is raised skyward, while her right covers her breasts.

Black and white photo of a sculpture of a naked young woman. She clutches a sheet to her waist, and her hair is blowing in a breeze.

Black and white photo of a sculpture of an angel holding a harp. She is bending down to offer a flower to some unseen person.

Black and white photo of a relief sculpture of a naked woman lying on a chaise longue, gripping the head of a snake in one hand, her arm outstretched to keep it at a distance from her body.

Black and white photo of a figurative tomb sculpture of a man, lying in repose as though asleep.

Black and white photo of a figurative sculpture of a man, formally dressed in a kilt and tom o' shanter (a type of flat cap).

Black and white photo of a figurative sculpture of a man, who is mixing something with a mortar and pestle.

Black and white photo of a portrait bust of a man wearing a suit and bow tie.

Black and white photo of a portrait bust of a formally-dressed man with a large moustache.

Black and white photo of a portrait bust of a woman.

Black and white photo of a relief sculpture, possibly depicting a children's hospital. Beds with children in line the walls, with women tending to some of them. A man with a beard sits at a table in the centre. In the foreground, a woman holds one baby on her knee, while her outstretched hand touches another in a basket in the floor. Two children, one with its arm in a sling, play on the floor beside her.

Black and white photo of a relief sculpture of an industrial accident. A woman stands in the foreground next to several workers, who are lifting dead or injured bodies.

Black and white photo of a relief sculpture of a shepherd surrounded by sheep.

Black and white photo of a sculpture of three cherubs.

Black and white photo of a relief sculpture of a naked woman, floating in mid-air with an owl as the sun rises behind her.

About the artist

Francis John Williamson was born in London in 1833. In his early sculpting career he was assistant to John Bell. He went on to assist J.H. Foley and would continue to work for him for 20 years. His talents were recognised at an early age and he was encouraged to go to Italy to study and work. Instead, he decided to the stay in England, and while he was visiting the town of Esher in Surrey he met Elizabeth Smith. The two married in 1857.

Williamson is well known for his creation of over two hundred portrait busts and a considerable number of public statues and memorials throughout Britain. He is particularly recognised for his treatment of textures like embroideries, lace, and draperies.

While still working for J.H. Foley, Williamson came to the attention of Queen Victoria, who visited the studio. She would become one of his most important patrons. She first commissioned Williamson to create a memorial at Claremont in 1870 to Princess Charlotte and her husband Prince Leopold. In 1887, Williamson was asked to create a statue of the Queen for the Royal College of Physicians, London, which was copied many times for various locations in the colonies.

Williamson frequently exhibited in the Royal Academy, a total of 38 times. Six of his works were ‘exhibited by command of H.M. the Queen’. Among his best-known works are Dean Milman in St Paul’s Cathedral (RA, 1867) and ‘Hetty and Dinah’ (RA, 1869 & 1870), purchased by the Queen.

Williamson also received a number of commissions from the municipal authorities in Birmingham. These included a marble bust of Shakespearian scholar Samuel Timmins and a statue of scientist Joseph Priestly.

Throughout his career Williamson would document his own work. His wife Elizabeth helped him taking these photograph and producing glass plate negatives. We are very lucky that these photographs have stood the test of time and have made their way into our archive.

What’s in the collection?

The archive holds ninety-four photographs that record Williamson’s work, most of which are albumen prints mounted on board. These range from ideal and religious subjects to numerous portrait busts and memorials. There are also photographs of sketch models for Lord Byron and Robert Burns. There are also six modelling tools used by Williamson.