A wonderful group of medals awarded to the artist John Wood. This group includes:
- Royal Academy of Arts 55mm silver medal, by T Pingo. Edge engraved 'To Mr John Wood, For The Best Drawing From The Antique, DEC 9. 1820'. In contemporary circular case.
- Royal Academy of Arts 55mm silver medal, by T Pingo. Edge engraved 'To Mr John Wood, For The Best Drawing From The Life, DECr 10. 1822'. In contemporary circular case.
- Society of Arts 'Mercury & Minerva' 52mm silver medal, by W.Wyon. Reverse engraved 'To Mr John Wood, MDCCCXXV For An Original Design For The Society's Vignette'.
- Society of Arts 'Mercury & Minerva' 44mm silver medal, by W.Wyon. Reverse engraved 'To Mr John Wood, MDCCCXX For An Original Chalk Drawing From A Statue'. Pierced.
- Society of Arts 'Mercury & Minerva' 44mm silver medal, by W.Wyon. Reverse engraved 'To Mr John Wood, MDCCCXXI For An Original Historical Painting In Oil'.
- 1873 Fine Arts Exhibition 70mm medal, by G.T Morgan. Awarded to 'Elizabeth Wood, Catalogue No 759 Etc'. In fitted case of issue. This is the sister of John Wood.
Also included with this lot is a yellow metal mourning brooch, the reverse of which is engraved 'Elizabeth Wood - Obit 12. May 1851 - Obt 74'. This is believed to refer to John Wood's mother. Finally, this set is completed with the addition of the last will and testament of John Wood, dated May 19th, 1870.
John Wood studied at Sass's and the Royal Academy schools, where in 1825 he gained the gold medal for painting. According to a Christie's sale catalogue of 16th February 1872, Wood as a student at the RA 'obtained the notice of Fuseli and Sir Thomas Lawrence, and under the auspices of the latter he commenced his career in art'. He won the competition for the altarpiece of St James's, Bermondsey (The Ascension) 1844, and was commissioned by Earl de Grey to paint the ceiling panels in Wrest Park, Bedfordshire. His work is represented in the National Portrait Gallery, Sir John Soane’s Museum and the V&A.