William Behnes

William Behnes was the eldest of three sons. His father was William Bennes, a German piano maker, who was married to an English woman Elizabeth Bennes and he was born in London, 13 December 1791. He was raised in Dublin and enrolled at the Royal Academy Schools, 23 March 1813. His initial aim was to be a painter, but after both he and his brother, Henry, had received training in modelling from Peter Francis Chenu, he changed to the medium of sculpture, winning silver medals at the Academy in the years 1816, 1817 and 1819. In 1819, Behnes was awarded a gold medal by the Society of Arts, in 1819 for his invention of a tool used to transfer points to marble, in the art of modelling. From 1820 to 1840, Behnes was second only to Francis Chantrey as England's most prolific and successful portrait sculptor. His drinking left him in financial difficulties and in debt to money lenders, and his unruly behaviour led to his expulsion from the Royal Academy though he exhibited there between 1815 and 1863. His brother Henry, changed his name from Behnes to Burlowe as, according to Hall, he didn't want to have the 'tarnish on the name'. Behnes' pupils included Thomas Woolner, who worked in his studio from 1838 to 1844, George Frederic Watts and several major Victorian sculptors such as Weekes, John Henry Foley, Musgrave Lewthwaite Watson and Timothy Butler. Behnes' sitters included Robert Vernon, Richard Porson and Princess Victoria at the age of ten. On her accession in 1837 Behnes was appointed sculptor-in-ordinary to Queen Victoria, but he received no further commissions. He was declared bankrupt in 1861 and moved to lodgings at 72 Charlotte Street. According to Hall, he was found one night 'literally in the gutter, with threepence in his pocket'. He was brought to Middlesex Hospital near by, where he died 3 January 1864.