Lot 6: EDWARD HODGES BAILY

PORTRAIT OF GENERAL SIR ROBERT O'CALLAGHAN
signed and dated: E. H. Baily. R.A. Sculp. London. 1840

79cm., 31in.

white marble

The collection of the sitter's descendants

Edward Hodges Bailey was born in Bristol, the son of a ship's carver. Having been brought to the attention of John Flaxman, he joined the sculptor's studio where he spent seven years, joining the Royal Academy in 1808 and winning the gold medal in 1811 for his Hercules Restoring Alcestis to Ademetus. In 1817 he began designing for the firm of Rundell and Bridge where he became chief modeller. He is best remembered for the figure of Nelson which stands at the top of the column in Trafalgar Square.

Sir Robert O'Callaghan (1777-1840) was the son of Cornelius O'Callaghan, 1st Baron Lismore. He began his distinguished military career with the 128th regiment of foot on 29th November, 1794. His first action was at the Battle of Maida in July, 1806, where he commanded a grenadier battalion and received a gold medal. In 1811 he went to the Peninsula with the 39th Regiment, where at the Battle of Vittoria (21 June, 1813) he was placed in command of the brigade. His conduct in this battle was specially noticed in Wellington's despatches. He took part in further campaigns back in Europe, and received a cross with two clasps for the actions at Maida, Vittoria, Nivelle, Orthes, the Pyrenees and Nive (the latter two campaigns are inscribed on the medal on the present bust). He was appointed major-general in 1814 and created a K.C.B. the following year, joining the army staff in France in 1818. By 1830 he was commanding the army at Madras as a lieutenant-general and five years later was for some months in command of the troops in India. He was created G.C.B. on 19th July, 1838, two years before his death. It is the sash and breast star of this order that adorn the present bust.