One of the most important pieces of neoclassical sculpture by a British artist, which has never been seen by the public, will be on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum from Friday.
John Deare's name is barely known today because he died at 38 and few of his works survived. Sale of the 18th-century masterpiece by an anonymous owner was restricted to allow only the V&A to acquire it for a fraction of its value. But art market specialists believe it would fetch £5m on the open market.
Discussing the "astonishing technique and narrative mastery", Paul Williamson, keeper of sculpture at the V&A, told the Observer: "Everyone is astonished by the virtuosity of the carving… This is the first [Deare] marble to go into a British public collection. His reputation has not been what it should be. But he's right up there."
Measuring more than 5ft in length, it depicts Caesar invading Britain, a battle scene on a beach. The marble figures of Caesar, Roman soldiers and the Britons fighting them off are incredibly lifelike, full of movement, sensitivity and expression, with every muscle and strand of hair depicted in intricate detail. It is little wonder that it took him more than five years to complete, from 1791.
With this relief, Deare (1759-98) will be recognised as one of the most innovative and gifted British sculptors. Born in Liverpool, he trained at the Royal Academy schools, where he won its gold medal, and a bursary to study in Rome. He remained there until his death in 1798, apparently from a chill caught by sleeping on a marble block for inspiration.
Until then, he had produced reliefs of historical, mythological and allegorical subjects for English patrons on the Grand Tour. Few survived; most that did are in American collections. Caesar Invading Britain was commissioned by his friend and patron, John Penn, whose grandfather gave his name to Pennsylvania. Although a British patriot, fascinated by British history and antiquity, the artist supported the American Revolution and would have sympathised with revolutionary forces struggling against an imperial power – hence the appeal of Caesar invading Britain.
The rectangular sculpture was installed above a fireplace in Penn's mansion in Buckinghamshire until the mid-20th century, when it was moved to a neighbouring house, whose owner was given permission by the local council to remove it – but only if it went to the V&A.
The V&A acquisition was made possible by Stuart Lochhead of Daniel Katz, a leading old masters' gallery, who said: "The quality of the carving is as good as you'll ever see. It's really astounding."
The work will go on display in the V&A's Hintze Sculpture Galleries from 21 October.
