3-008-838 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late John Thomas, sculptor, 1862. Thomas '...commenced life as a tombstone letter-cutter...he devoted his whole energy to...acquire skill and knowledge as a carver...[The architect] Sir C. Barry...was so satisfied of his capabilities that he...[engaged] him to superintend the whole of the ornamental decorations at the new Houses of Parliament...It was through [Sir Morton Peto's] introductions and influence, and his own great merit, that he emerged from the simple carver to become a very eminent sculptor and architect...He designed and executed...numerous works for the Sultan's Palace at Constantinople, the enormous lions (30ft. long) for the entrance piers of the Britannia Bridge over the Menai Straits, the large bas-reliefs at Euston-square, sculpture at the entrance gateway at Buckingham Palace, and large bas-reliefs in the interior of that building...Some years before his death it was Thomas's good fortune to become known to his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort, and from that time until he died he was constantly engaged on works for the decoration of one of her Majesty's palaces, either at Balmoral, Buckingham Palace, or Windsor Castle...The print-room...[at Windsor was] executed by him, as well as the Royal dairy at Frogmore'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.