Musgrave Lewthwaite Watson

Musgrave Lewthwaite Watson (24 January 1804 - 28 October 1847) was an English sculptor of the early 19th century.

Watson was born in Cumberland, being christened on 8 March 1804 at Hawksdale, near Dalston.[1] He initially studied law before travelling to London to train as an artist, being advised by John Flaxman to attend the Royal Academy School; he was also a pupil of Robert William Sievier (as was his contemporary William F Woodington). After a spell in Rome, Watson returned to England in 1828, working for Francis Chantry, Edward Hodges Baily, Sir Richard Westmacott and William Behnes before establishing his own studio.[2][3]

His most notable work is one of the four panels at the base of Nelson's Column in London's Trafalgar Square. His contribution depicts the Battle of Cape St Vincent, though this had to be completed by Woodington, due to Watson's premature death due to a recurrent heart problem.

Other works in his short career include:

* a statue depicting brothers Lord Eldon and Lord Stowell at University College, Oxford (1842)
* a statue of Queen Elizabeth I for the Royal Exchange (1844)
* marble statues of Major Francis Aglionby (1843 - Aglionby was MP for East Cumberland) and Lord Lonsdale (1845), in Carlisle
* a statue of Flaxman for University College London (1843–1847)[3]
* pedimental sculpture for the Victoria Rooms in Bristol
* a frieze on Moxhall's Hall of Commerce in the City of London - the frieze is today preserved in Napier Terrace, Islington.[2]

References

1. ^ http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/forums/viewmessages.asp?topicid=11417&forumid=26
2. ^ a b Musgrave Lewthwaite Watson (1804-1847)
3. ^ a b http://www.artnet.com/library/09/0908/T090841.asp

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