Maurice Lambert

Paris-born British painter and sculptor Maurice Lambert studied at the Royal College of Art in London. Subsequently, he attended life classes at Chelsea Polytechnic from 1919-27 while concurrently working in the workshop of sculptor Francis Derwent Wood. He was the son of the distinguished Australian painter George Lambert (1873-1930) and the older brother of the composer and conductor Constant Lambert (1905-51). From 1928-32, inspired by non-European cultures, he joined the avant-garde “7 & 5 Society”. Maurice was a sculptor in bronze, stone, wood, concrete and glass of figurative and abstract subjects, most notably busts, but he also dealt with dynamic forms and movements. In addition, he was occasionally active as a painter and took part as such in 1928. The painting Boxers belonged to the collection of Sir Philip Sassoon (1888-1939), a British politician, art collector and one of the most famous hosts of the time. During World War II, Lambert served in the London Welsh Regiment. After the war he became master of sculpture at the Royal Academy Schools (1950-58). He was also commissioned with artistic decorations of passenger liners like Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Sailing was one of Lambert’s favorite pastimes.

Although his entry for 1948 was created a decade earlier, Carving in marble was only exhibited at the Royal Academy in the summer of 1947. Lambert was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1952, submitting this sculpture. Weighing 87 kg, it had a size of 45 x 78 x 47 cm.