Details of Sculptor

Surname

Beaupre

Alternative Surname

First Name

Initial of Surname

B

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

1764-83

Year of Death

Biographical Details

Beaupré was a French sculptor who ‘came over to try his fortune in England’ (Angelo I, 1904, 113). He exhibited at the Society of Artists between 1764 and 1767, giving his addresses as ‘At Mr. Machau’s, in the Piazza, Covent Garden’, ’The Orange Coffee House’ and ‘At Mr. Burrel’s, Charing Cross’. He showed a sketch for a monument at the Free Society in 1766 (1). J T Smith describes Beaupré as an excellent carver of flowers who was recommended to Joseph Wilton RA by the French sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785). Under Wilton’s direction he provided the model for the lead statue of George III, erected by the King’s sister, Princess Amelia, in Berkeley Square (3). The statue was well received at the time, but by 1827 it was in a state of collapse and had to be supported with props. It was removed shortly afterwards and presumably melted down. In 1777 Beaupré moved to Dublin, where he remained for six years, living in Dame Street. He does not appear to have exhibited in Ireland and nothing is known of his work there.
Literary References: Smith II, 1828, 181; Strickland I, 1913, 53; Gunnis 1968, 44