Mary Pownall 'roman Warrior' 1891 - Cast Bronze Bust - A Striking And Substantial Piece

Mary Pownall 'Roman Warrior' 1891 - cast bronze bust - a striking and substantial piece 92cm tall. Bust sits on in cast bronze square section base and stepped plinth.

Essentially a museum piece in very good condition with age related patina. Has a hairline crack approx 2cms long on base. Not noticeable unless scrutinise which have done. Image attached.

In the years 1890-1900, three British female artists; Mary Pownall, Ottilie Maclaren and Kathleen Bruce traveled to Paris with the aim of training in sculpture.

This piece (only her second after finishing working and learning her craft with John Cassidy) from 1891, was to shape her journey on the continent both artistically and literally. The initial plaster for this bronze was spotted in the shop window of most likely John Alberti (who was the foremost plaster caster/moulder in Manchester at the time), proudly showcasing his work. As Pownall writes in her autobiography 'Response' it was noticed by a Mrs. Steinhal (thinking was by a male sculptor and enquired about the artist) who had studied art in Paris and with sculptor connections in Frankfurt. After persuading Pownall's parents that her talent required nurturing and honing abroad, Pownall travelled initially to Frankfurt and thereafter Paris where she trained with sculptor Denys Puech and Jean-Baptiste Champeil at the Académie Julian.

Despite mentions of Pownall being tutored by Rodin, in her autobiography there is no mention of this..only an artistic critique of Rodin's 1898 'Balzac'. She seems to happily build a career on the outskirts of Rodin's circles, exhibiting almost every year at the Salon des Artistes Français since her arrival in Paris, between 1892 and 1899, and winning an honorable mention that year for ‘Now I’m a Fairy’ from La Societe des Artistes Française.

Also travels to Switzerland, Rome and Menton on the French Riviera where meets Theodore Roosevelt's sister-in-law and sculpts her. The bronze is believed to still be with the Roosevelt family.

On returning to England, settling in the Watford area, her career develops further and thanks to her technical ability became a popular choice for portrait bust and statuette commissions with her work being exhibited throughout Europe. One of her most important commissions being the Watford War Memorial, unique in its style, where there is more than a hint of inspiration from Rodin's 'The Thinker'.

Her husband, Alfred Bromet was a friend of Stanley Baldwin and as such was introduced to high political society and sculpted many political figures along with receiving Royal commissions. She is elected an associate member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1932 and regularly exhibited at the RA and in other British provincial galleries. She was also President of the Society of Women Artists.

Her works are held in renowned institutions and museums such as the Kelvingrove Art Gallery Museum in Glasgow, also Watford Museum, Bushey Art Gallery and Museum, Royal Free Hospital, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Society of Medicine, Ronaldsway Airport I.O.M., amongst others..

Her pieces, let alone of this stature rarely appear on the open market, prized in private collections and museums alike. Mary Pownall and her peers, were the groundbreaking pioneer female artists that established themselves at the turn of the century on the merit of their skill that laid the path for future generations to follow.

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