Details of Sculptor

Surname

Chenu

Alternative Surname

First Name

Peter Francis

Initial of Surname

C

Year of Birth/Baptism

1760

Flourished

Year of Death

1834

Biographical Details

Born on 8 October 1760, he attended the Royal Academy Schools in October 1784. In the Academy records he is listed as ‘Pierre François Chenu’ (Hutchison 1960-62, 148). He won a silver medal in 1785 (24) and in the following year was awarded the gold medal for a ‘restoration’ of the Belvedere Torso (25). In 1786 he submitted a sketch (perhaps a drawing) of Daedalus and Icarus. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1788, giving his address as 28 Great Castle Street, Cavendish Square. Over the years he showed works in a variety of genres, including candelabra supports and wax models, as well as a bust, a bas-relief and a design for a monument. His monuments were judged by Gunnis to be ‘of unequal merit, some have extremely well-cut reliefs, while others are not nearly so successful.’ The relief on his tablet to Thomas Gorsuch (16), for instance ‘is almost comic. It shows Time, who is knocking down an obelisk, while he holds in one hand what appears to be a wine-jar bearing the words “All sink to re-ascend” ’ (Gunnis 1968, 100).
In the 1790s Chenu lived in Wardour Street, where in 1796 he was visited by Joseph Lygo, who was there to assess Peter Turnerelli’s skills for William Duesbury of the Derby manufactory. Turnerelli was at that time Chenu’s pupil. Chenu bought a large number of pieces at various London auctions, which suggests that a key part of his output was in reproduction. He purchased several lots at the sales of Joseph Rose the Younger on 10 April 1799 and of Thomas Scheemakers and Thomas Banks in 1805.
In 1800 his address was 115 Great Portland Street and by 1811 he was at 23 Charles Street, Middlesex Hospital. He died in 1834 at 1 Union Street, Lambeth, a relatively wealthy man. In his will he left nearly £4,000 in shares. His premises and business went to his residuary legatee, Michael Nicholas Chenu. He asked to be buried in the parish of St Mary Lambeth.
MGS
Literary References: Graves II, 1905-6, 52; Hutchison 1960-62, 148; Gunnis 1968, 100; Clifford 1992, 51; Bricknell 1995, 95
Archival References: RA Premium list
Will: PROB 11/1836 (proved 10 Sept 1834)