Portraits in Oxford *

OP101
John Ireland, Dean of Westminster

Artist: by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey

Date: 1829

Medium: marble bust

Measurements: height 584 mm. (23 in.)

Inscriptions:
incised at back (oblique stroke indicates new line of inscription): 'John Ireland, D.D./ Dean of/ Westminster/ Chantrey, Sc 1829.'

Acquisition: gift from John Ireland, Dean of Westminster, 1831

Location: Examination Schools

Description:
Bust, head turned slightly to left; short hair; coat with high collar indicated; ribbon and badge of the Order of the Bath as dean of the Order around neck, showing the motto 'Tria juncta in uno' ('three in one').

Given in response to the Hebdomadal Board's request to Dean Ireland 'as a distinguished Benefactor of the University, to allow them to place his Bust, lately executed by Mr Chantrey in some appropriate situtation within the Precincts of the Public Schools.' (Hebdomadal Board Minutes, 8 Nov 1831, Hebdomadal Register 1803-23, Oxford University Archives, WP gamma/24/4, p.160) To the expression of his own gratification and gratitude, the Dean added 'To Mr. Chantrey himself, too, I know it will be a great satisfaction to place in your hands the Bust on which his talents have been exerted with so much success.' (Hebdomadal Board Minutes, 21 Nov, 1831, Hebdomadal Register 1803-23, Oxford University Archives, WP gamma/24/4, p.161)
' Acta 8 May 1926 "agreed to transfer ‘the busts of Lord North, Duke of Wellington, Dean Ireland, Rev. F.W. Robertson, Professor Jowett, and Prince Leopold to the Examination Schools." ' ('Transfers of portraits etc. to the Examination Schools. 1909-[49]', Bodleian Library Records, d.1183, Bodleian Library) 'Read a letter from the Bodleian Librarian (Dr Cowley) offering the Schools Curators ... busts of Lord North, the Duke of Wellington, Dean Ireland, F.W. Robertson, Prince Leopold and Mr Jowett. It was resolved that the offer be accepted, and that the ... busts be placed in suitable positions in the Examination Schools.' (Minutes of the Curators of the Schools, 1914-[1952], 15 June 1926, Oxford University Archives, ES/1/1/2, p.78)

The plaster cast of the bust is in the Cast Gallery of the Ashmolean Museum (Penny, 1992, no.724)

Literature:
R. Lane Poole, Catalogue of Portraits in the possession of the University, Colleges, City, and County of Oxford, 3 vols (1912, 1925), I, p.118, no.296; R. Gunnis, Dictionary of British sculptors, 1660-1851 (1968), p.94; R.J.B. Walker, National Portrait Gallery, Regency Portraits 2 vols (1985), 1, p.627, no.72 (Chantrey drawing); A. Yarrington, et al, 'An Edition of the Ledger of Sir Francis Chantrey, R.A., at the Royal Academy, 1809-1841', Walpole Society, LVI (1991-1992), p.238, no.212b; N. Penny, Catalogue of European sculpture in the Ashmolean Museum, 1540 to the present day, 3 vols (1992), 3, p.236, no.724 (plaster cast); R. Lane Poole Catalogue of Portraits in the Bodleian Library rev. by K. Garlick (2004), p.353