George Roilos (1867-1928)
William Goscombe John (1860-1952)
1902
oil on canvas
William Goscombe John was born in Cardiff and became a prolific, highly respected sculptor who was renowned for his public statues and portrait busts. As an active member of the Museum's Council, he did much to form the early collections of the National Museum of Wales.
George Roilos was a Greek artist working in London at the turn of the 19th century. This is a classic depiction of the artist at work, showing the sculptor in his studio working on the Coldstream Guards South African War Memorial for St Paul's Cathedral. He stands by his easel, with a bronze on a plinth to his right to indicate his main creative medium. In 1953, Goscombe John's daughter described it as the 'most really sympathetic' likeness of her father.
Gift of Sir William Goscombe John, 1940
NMW A 588