Richard Westmacott Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sir Richard Westmacott was a renowned British sculptor who lived from 1775 to 1856. He was a prominent figure in the neoclassical movement, known for his elegant and refined sculptures that adorned many of London’s grand buildings and monuments.

Westmacott was born into a family of artists and began his training at a young age. He studied under his father, also named Richard Westmacott, who was a successful sculptor in his own right. The younger Westmacott later traveled to Italy to further his education and hone his skills, drawing inspiration from the great works of classical antiquity.

Upon his return to England, Westmacott established himself as one of the leading sculptors of his time. He received numerous prestigious commissions, including works for Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the British Museum. Among his most famous creations are the pediment sculptures for the Royal Exchange and the statue of Achilles in Hyde Park, which was commissioned by King George III in honor of the Duke of Wellington’s victories in the Napoleonic Wars.

Westmacott’s talent and contributions to the arts were widely recognized during his lifetime. In 1811, he was elected as a Royal Academician, and in 1837, he was knighted by Queen Victoria, becoming Sir Richard Westmacott. He lived and worked at 14 South Audley Street in Westminster, a fashionable area of London known for its grand houses and notable residents. Westmacott died here in 1856, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional artistic achievement that continues to be admired and celebrated to this day.