Albert Toft

The Bather

1915

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Not on display

Artist: Albert Toft 1862–1949
Medium: Marble
Dimensions: Object: 1930 × 685 × 650 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Presented by the Trustees of the Chantrey Bequest 1915
Reference: N03030

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Toft grew up in Birmingham, and was a modeller for pottery before studying at the Royal College of Art under Professor Lantéri. He was a constant exhibitor at the Royal Academy from 1885 to 1947. He was not successful with the art establishment, and was already in his fifties when this 'Bather' was accepted for the Chantrey Collection. He was never even an Associate of the Academy, and his earlier more symbolist sculpture was not acquired by the Tate Gallery.
A critic in Studio Magazine described this work as 'subtly yet powerfully modelled, despite its suavity', and complained about the lack of realism in the contemporary 'ultra modern school', who thought that their creations were better than God's.

Gallery label, August 2004

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Catalogue entry

N03030 THE BATHER 1915

Inscr. ‘Albert Toft, 1915’ on base.
Marble, 76×26 1/4×28 1/2 (193×66·5×72) including base.
Chantrey Purchase from the artist 1915.
Exh: R.A., 1915 (1903).
Repr: Studio, LXV, 1915, p.40; Herbert Maryon, Modern Sculpture, 1933, fig.73.

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Published in:
Mary Chamot, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin, The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, London 1964, II