Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hancock, John

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1344895Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 24 — Hancock, John1890Lionel Henry Cust

HANCOCK, JOHN (d. 1869), sculptor, first appears as an exhibitor at the Royal Academy in 1843, sending a statue of 'The Prodigal Son.' He exhibited 'Comus ' in 1845, and annually for about twenty years afterwards. In 1849 he sent a bas-relief of 'Christ's Entry into Jerusalem,' which obtained one of the prizes given by the Art Union, and was engraved by the anaglyptograph process as one of their prize publications for that year. In 1850 he sent a statue of 'Beatrice,' from Dante's 'Vita Nuova,' which attracted attention at the Academy and in the International Exhibition of 1851. In 1853 he sent another bas-relief of 'Christ led to Crucifixion,' which was also purchased and published by the Art Union. Hancock obtained many commissions, and executed, among other works, a bust of 'La Penserosa,' which is in the royal collection, and a statue of 'II Penseroso,' executed by order of the court of common council for the Egyptian Hall at the Mansion House. He never, however, gained the reputation of which his works at one time showed promise. He died on 17 Oct. 1869.

[Athenæum, 23 Oct. 1869; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760-1880 ; Royal Academy Catalogues.]

L. C.