F. W. Pomeroy


Frederick William Pomeroy was a prolific British sculptor of architectural and monumental works. He was one of the so-called New Sculptors identified by Edmund Gosse in 1894 – a group distinguished by a stylistic turn towards naturalism and their work in architectural sculpture.

Early life and training

Pomeroy was born in London, the son of an artist-craftsman. He trained with William Silver Frith at the South London Technical School of Art, where he was also taught by Jules Dalou. In 1880, he was able to enter the Royal Academy Schools, where he won a travelling scholarship; which took him to Paris and Italy. He was elected ARA in 1906, and RA in 1917.

Action in London

On returning to London Pomeroy carved Frederic Leighton's marble group, Athlete wrestling with a python. In 1887 he joined the Art Workers Guild, and from 1888 he exhibited with the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. He became a leading sculptor in the New Sculpture movement, both in London and elsewhere in Britain. His work in London includes the figure of Justice on the dome of the Old Bailey and the statue of W. E. Gladstone in the Houses of Parliament.

Personal life

In 1913 Pomeroy married Patricia Morrison Coughlan, of Douglas, County Cork. With her he had two sons.
In May 1924 Pomeroy offered a prize "for the most perfect pair of feet"; the actress Daisy Burrell and the dancer Margery Prince tied for the first prize of £50. Pomeroy died on 26 May 1924, aged 65, and was buried at Boscombe in Hampshire. A memorial to him lies in St James's Church, Piccadilly.

Works

Pomeroy's largest outdoor works are the four enormous bronze figures on the upstream side of Vauxhall Bridge in London. Dating from 1907, they represent: Pottery, Engineering, Architecture and Agriculture. Pomeroy's other architectural sculpture includes:
Smaller works include: