Samuel Joseph
(1791-1850), ArtistArtist associated with 4 portraits
Joseph, best known for his monument to William Wilberforce in Westminster Abbey, studied under sculptor Peter Rouw the Younger, and at the Royal Academy schools. He gained a reputation for his portrait busts and medallions. Joseph was interested in phrenology and he produced a series of life masks of notorious criminals, including the murderers Burke and Hare. His highly naturalistic portrait busts reflect this interest, at odds with the ideal classicism prevalent in his day. In 1823, Joseph went to Edinburgh, where he became one of the founders of the Royal Scottish Academy, before returning to London in 1828. Joseph was a cousin of portrait painter George Francis Joseph.
by Samuel Joseph
plaster cast of bust, 1822
NPG 1710
by Scipio Clint, after Samuel Joseph, and Edward Hodges Baily
copper medal, 1830
NPG 4278
by Samuel Joseph
bronze cast of death-mask, 1958, based on a work of 1837
NPG 4063
by Leonard Charles Wyon, probably after Samuel Joseph
bronze medal, 1861
NPG D2933
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Gilbert Louttit
10 January 2020, 19:50
In 'Autobiography of an Engineer: James Nasmyth' there is an image of the author's father Alexander Nasmyth 'After a cameo by Samuel Joseph'. In the chapter on Free trade in ability/Death of my father.