Joseph Boehm
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Sir Joseph Boehm (1834 - 1890) was a sculptor, best known for the head of Queen Victoria on coinage, and the statue of the Duke of Wellington at Hyde Park Corner, born in Vienna, but educated in England.
In 1856 Boehm was presented with the Austrian Imperial Prize for Sculpture, the start of his distinguished career. He came to live in England in 1862, and was granted citizenship in 1865. He became a member of the ARA in 1878, and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1882. A speciality of his was the portrait bust many examples of which are in the National Portrait Gallery.
During his career he was commissioned frequently by the Royal Family and members of the aristocracy to sculpt for their parks and gardens. His most important works include 'St George and the Dragon' and Francis Drake.
Works by Boehm are at Balmoral and Dalmeny. His large equine statue at Dalmeny was commissioned by the Baron Meyer de Rothschild for his new mansion, Mentmore Towers, in the 1860s.
His most famous pupil was the Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll daughter of Queen Victoria. Gossip at the time hinted that the two were lovers, but this remains unproven.
There are many statues by Boehm in London. In St Paul's Cathedral is his memorial statue to General Charles George Gordon. At Hyde Park Corner a large equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington dominates the area. Other statues can be found in Fleet Street, the Temple Bar and Embankment Gardens.