Details of Sculptor

Surname

Cardwell

Alternative Surname

First Name

Holme

Initial of Surname

C

Year of Birth/Baptism

1813

Flourished

Year of Death

1895

Biographical Details

Born in Manchester, he attended the Royal Academy Schools in 1834 on the recommendation of Sir Francis Chantrey RA, giving his age as 19 (although his gravestone records his date of birth as 20 May 1813) and his address as 14 Percy Street. He won a silver medal for a model in 1839 (25) and in 1841 went to Paris, where he is thought to have studied for 3 years under the sculptor David d’Angers and to have distinguished himself at the Académie Royale. From Paris he moved to Rome and remained there for some considerable time. In 1844 a vistor to Cardwell's studio mentioned that he had just arrived in the city and was engaged on a group of Greyhounds Playing (7),which ‘shows a keen observation of Nature, and great power’ (GM, 1844, i, 71). The article added ‘He has executed but few groups, one of which, Mrs Beaumont, of Yorkshire, ordered’ (6, ibid). In 1852 Cardwell sent to England his colossal marble group of The Good Samaritan, which had taken him two years to complete (8). A correspondent for the Art Journal noted that the composition and its spirited execution were said to have been highly praised by John Gibson RA and other sculptors in Rome. The article went on to say: ‘The Manchester Courier informs us that the sculptor went over to Paris some years since and studied for three years under David; he distinguished himself at the Academie Royale. He then returned to Manchester and carried off the first “Heywood Medal,” afterwards he came to London and was much noticed by Chantrey, and gained the silver medal of the Royal Academy’ (AJ, 1853, 297).
Cardwell exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1837 and 1856. In the years 1837-41 he gave his address as 38a Edward Street, Hampstead Road and then 48 Greek St, Soho. In 1856 he submitted Sabrina directly from Rome (8), where he died on August 7, 1895. He is buried in the Protestant cemetery in Rome and his grave marked with a simple headstone with a relief of a cross.

Literary References: Graves 1875, 86; Graves I, 1905-6, 393; Gunnis 1968, 78; Add inf Nicholas Stanley-Price
Archival References: RA Premium list, 1839