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Peter Matthias Van Gelder

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Monument to Mary, Duchess of Montagu in Warkton Parish Church

Peter Matthias Van Gelder or Vangelder (1739–1809) was an 18th century British sculptor, architect and builder of Dutch descent.

Life

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Vangelders frontage at Fishmongers' Hall

He was born in Amsterdam in Holland in 1739 and came to England in the 1750s. He moved to London and joined the premises of Thomas Carter the Elder as an apprentice stonemason and sculptor. Other contemporary apprentices in the yard included John Deare. He was paid two guineas a week in this period.[1]

Not until 1769 did he attend the Royal Academy Schools but quickly impressed, gaining a Silver Medal from the Royal Academy in his first year and the Gold Medal for 1771 for his bas-relief "The Choice of Hercules".[2]

By 1780 his company had expanded into a high quality building company and had started to undertake prestigious projects in London.

He died on 3 September 1809 at his home at Upper Norton Street in London. His will was settled on 19 December 1809 and is held at the National Archives in Kew.[3]

Family

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His widow died in 1814.

Works

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Restoration

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The Montagu monuments in Warkton were restored in 2014.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 by Rupert Gunnis p.407
  2. ^ Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 by Rupert Gunnis p.407
  3. ^ "Will of Peter Mathias Van Gelder, Statuary of Saint Marylebone, Middlesex | The National Archives". Discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  4. ^ "Biography of Peter Mathias van Gelder Sculptor 1742-1809".
  5. ^ "Work begins on Montagu Monuments in Warkton | the National Lottery Heritage Fund". 2 April 2014.