Alfred Stevens

(b Blandford Forum, Dorset, 31 Dec 1817; d London, 1 May 1875). English sculptor, designer and painter. He showed precocious talent as a painter (Self-portrait at the Age of 14, 1832; London, Tate). In 1833 he went to Italy to study Renaissance painting and later received some training at the Accademia in Florence. In 1841-2 he worked in Rome as an assistant to Bertel Thorvaldsen. Stevens's works dating from the early years after his return to England in 1842 owe much to Thorvaldsen. These include four plaster reliefs (Chettle House, Dorset) and drawings of unexecuted doors for the Geological Museum, London (1847; London, V&A). Stevens entered the New Palace of Westminster fresco competition (1843), unsuccessfully, and produced illustrations to Homer before being appointed what he called 'professor of everything' at the Government School of Design at Somerset House in 1845. His polymathic qualities made him appear ideally qualified for this position, which involved teaching painting and ornament, but he disagreed with Henry Cole's belief that design could be taught separately from fine art. Following his resignation in 1847, Stevens concentrated on independent works, such as interior decorations for Deysbrook House, Liverpool (c. 1847; destr.), unexecuted designs for the base of the Nelson Memorial, London, and Bible and history illustrations. One of the latter, King Alfred and his Mother, he translated into an unfinished oil painting (c. 1848; London, F.A. Soc.); modelled on the Doni tondo of the Holy Family (1503-4; Florence, Uffizi), it reflects Stevens's admiration for Michelangelo.

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