Francis Derwent Wood (1871 – 1926)

Francis Derwent Wood

Profile Bust of Lady Barber (1869 – 1933)

England, 1913

Marble

57 x 47 cm

This profile bust depicts Lady Martha Constance Hattie Barber, the founder of the Barber Institute. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1914 and again in 1927. Lady Barber and her husband Sir Henry Barber were evidently on friendly terms with Wood, a skilful if conservative sculptor, who advised them on acquisitions for their art collection. They had perhaps first met him around 1897 when Sir Henry commissioned a marble statue of Queen Victoria (since replaced by a bronze replica) for Victoria Square, Birmingham from Thomas Brock, whom Wood assisted at that time.

Lady Barber collection (No. B/1/58)