Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Moore, John Francis

1334501Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 38 — Moore, John Francis1894Lionel Henry Cust

MOORE, JOHN FRANCIS (d. 1809), sculptor, a native of Hanover, resided in London for many years in Berners Street, Oxford Street. He obtained a premium from the Society of Arts in 1766 for an allegorical bas-relief. He was a member of the Free Society of Artists, and a frequent contributor to their exhibitions from 1766 to 1775, sending statues and busts in marble, models in clay, medallions, and bas-reliefs, the latter including one of the 'Aldobrandini Marriage.' When the corporation of Lon- don resolved to erect a monument to Lord Mayor William Beckford [q. v.], Moore was successful in the competition, and the monument now existing in the Guildhall was erected from his design at a cost of 1,300l. He exhibited the design in 1772, and an engraving of it by C. Grignion was published. Moore also executed monuments to Earl Ligonier and Robert, earl Ferrers. He executed for Dr. Thomas Wilson, in St. Stephen's, Walbrook, a statue of Mrs. Catherine Macaulay [q. v.],and a monument to Mrs. Wilson. He died in York Buildings, New Road, London, on 21 Jan. 1809. He had three sons, who practised as artists, and exhibited with the Free Society of Artists: John Moore, jun., who also practised as a sculptor; Charles Moore, who was a painter; and James Moore, also a painter. The last is possibly identical with James Moore who executed some mezzotint engravings after Amiconi, Vanloo, and others.

[Redgrave's Dict., of Artists; Catalogues of the Free Soc. of Artists; Chaloner Smith's Brit. Mezzotinto Portraits; Gent. Mag. 1809, p. 94.]

L. C.