(1834 - 1890)
Joseph Edgar Boehm was born in Vienna; the son of a medallist, engraver and director of the imperial mint. He attended Leigh’s Art Academy, London (1848-51), before returning to Vienna to study medal design and modelling. From 1859 he lived in Paris. In 1862 he moved to London, eventually settling at The Avenue, Fulham Road, where studio assistants included Gilbert and Drury. His works are mostly marble busts, but he also produced church monuments and equestrian statuettes. He received over 40 royal commissions, taught Princess Louise, was the Queen’s Sculptor-in-Ordinary from 1880 and was made a baronet in 1889. He became a Royal Academician in 1881. Boehm died aged 56. Princess Louise’s presence at his death provoked considerable gossip.
