Isaac Henry Gosset (1713–1799) was an 18th-century sculptor and wax-modeller.

Life

George III and Queen Charlotte, modelled by William Hackwood after original waxes by Isaac Gosset, frames by Matthew Boulton - Wedgwood Museum

He was born in St Helier on the Isle of Jersey on 2 May 1713,the sixth son of Jean Gosset.^[1] His parents had fled from Normandy around 1700 after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. These incomers were known as Huguenots. He was sent to London to train with his elder brother Gideon Gosset under their paternal uncle, Matthew Gosset (1683-1744), a wax-modeller and frame-carver, and member of the Spalding Society. The Gosset company supplied frames to William Hogarth and Thomas Gainsborough.^[2] The wax used was of his own recipe and was highly praised in his field.^[3]

He exhibited at the Society of Arts (which linked to the Incorporated Society of Artists) and Free Society from 1760 to 1778. Josiah Wedgwood also contracted him as a modeller to produce cameos. Henry Hoare was a huge fan of his works and collected a substantial number from 1753 to 1755 which were (and are) displayed at Stourhead.^[4]

Horace Walpole also collected his work, which he displayed at Strawberry Hill. However, the greatest accolade is the collection held at Windsor Castle and displayed in the library purchased by King George III around 1765 to 1770.^[5]

He died in Kensington on 28 November 1799 and is buried in Old Marylebone Cemetery.^[6]

Many of his works are held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Works

Family

He was married to Françoise Buisett (also a Huguenot) in Soho in 1737. They were parents to six children.^[7]

Artistic recognition

Gosset was portrayed by Thomas Gainsborough, probably due to their business connection.^[8]

References