Violet Manners’ Favourite Painting - Country life Feature January 2024
Back in January 2024, our founder, Violet Manners, was honoured to feature in Country Life’s iconic My Favourite Painting series. Violet shared her heartfelt connection to the Recumbent Figure of Lord Haddon, a sculpture created by her ancestor, Violet Manners, the 8th Duchess of Rutland.
Here’s a moving snippet of what she shared about the piece:
"Henry and Violet, the 8th Duke and Duchess of Rutland, faced an unimaginable tragedy when they lost their eldest son, Lord Haddon. Violet’s true prowess lay in her ability to capture the essence of people in portraits, but her most poignant creation was this effigy. With minimal sculpture training, she embarked on a 40-year journey of devotion to create it. Whenever I see it, I feel emotional. The sculpture depicts Lord Haddon at peace, with closed eyes and billowing robes draped around his small form. I can’t help but visualise Violet, in the throes of grief, meticulously chiselling away. To me, this is her greatest work–a profound study of grief and an expression of her commitment to ensure Lord Haddon is never forgotten."
Art historian Charlotte Mullins adds further context to the significance of the piece:
"In 1894, Violet Manners, Marchioness of Granby and later the Duchess of Rutland, lost her eldest son, Robert, Lord Haddon, at the age of nine. Alfred Gilbert, the sculptor who took the young boy’s death mask, suggested Violet create the full-length effigy for his tomb. Though self-taught, Violet embraced the challenge, working on the sculpture for four decades.
The figure of Lord Haddon lies peacefully, barefoot, as if momentarily dozing under a shady tree. Inscribed on the tomb are the words: ‘Hope of my eyes, something is broken that we cannot mend,’ concluding with, ‘Entirely designed and modelled by his mother.’”
The plaster original remains at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, while a cast resides in the Tate Collection, and a marble copy can be found at the chapel in Haddon Hall, Derbyshire.
This remarkable sculpture is not only a testament to the power of art in the face of grief but also a symbol of a mother’s enduring love.
Stay tuned for more historical treasures and personal stories featured on HeritageXplore!
