Mr Laurence Campbell RHA
Born 1911
Died 2001
Active: 1927 - 1964
Country of birth: Ireland
Country of death: United States
Sculptor, architectural sculptor, professor of sculpture
Born in Dublin. He was the younger brother of the painter, Christopher Campbell (1908-72). Laurence served an apprenticeship as a stonecarver with Sharpe and Emlys, monumental sculptors, Great Brunswick Street, Dublin [This information is from the Dictionary of Irish Biography, the firm may be Sharp and Emery of 17 Great Brunswick Street qv]. Between 1927 and 1936 he studied part time at the Metropolitan School of Art under Oliver Sheppard. After winning a travel scholarship he continued his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm under Nils Sjorsen (1894–1952) and then at the Academy Ranson, Paris, where he received instruction from Aristide Maillol (1861–1944). Campbell also travelled to Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Between 1938 and 1946, Campbell was Professor of Sculpture at the National College of Art (formerly the Metropolitan School of Art). From 1930 he exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy, was elected a member in 1940 and the following year became Keeper. Campbell was a member of the executive committee of the Irish Exhibition of Living Art in 1943.
He established a successful practice as a sculptor of portraits, architectural works and religious statuary. Among his commissions were a triptych of ‘Mother Éire’ for the facade of the Theatre Royal, Dublin, c.1939 and two limestone panels depicting Industry and Commerce for the facade of the Marino vocational school, Dublin c.1940–43. Examples of his religious work can be found in the church of Adam and Eve, Dublin and there are carvings of the Virgin and Child and St Joseph (1948) at the Jesuit retreat house, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Sometime after 1964 Laurence moved to the USA and he died in Chicago in 2001.
This record includes information submitted by Declan Campbell.
Works
Dates are usually the year a work was exhibited so may differ from date of production.
New entries have been made each time a work was exhibited. Click here for more information.
Self-Portrait
1930 (Presumed)
£6 6s.
Miss Emily Campbell
1930 (Presumed)
£6 6s.
Annie
1931 (Presumed)
£15
The Franciscan Singer
1932 (Presumed)
Joy of Life
1933 (Presumed)
£50
Thought
1933 (Presumed)
£50
Madame Maud Gonne McBride
1933 (Presumed)
The Brute
1934 (Presumed)
£16
Assisi
1934 (Presumed)
Saul
1934 (Presumed)
£30
Jotshi
1934 (Presumed)
£60
Israel Bereaved
1934 (Presumed)
£70
The Betrayal Kiss
1934 (Presumed)
£60
St Francis
1934 (Presumed)
£21
Love's Bondage
1935 (Presumed)
Salome's Request
1935 (Presumed)
£80
The Brunette
1935 (Presumed)
£50
The Satyr
1935 (Presumed)
£60
Jean Baptiste
1935 (Presumed)
£50
The Yawn
1935 (Presumed)
£10 10s.
Jagare
1937 (Presumed)
£40
Sketch for Sculpture piece
1937 (Presumed)
Pojke Med Markatta
1937 (Presumed)
£60
Lawrence of Arabia
1937 (Presumed)
£70
Sea-Horse
1937 (Presumed)
£37
The Theatre Royal Sculpture on the Facade
1938 (Presumed)
Seated Girl
1938 (Presumed)
£17 17s.
Bereaved
1938 (Presumed)
£21
Mary
1941 (Presumed)
Miss Mélanie Le Brocquy
1941 (Presumed)
James M. Brennan, Architect
1941 (Presumed)
George Atkinson, Esq., RHA
1941 (Presumed)
Michael Scott, Esq., Architect
1941 (Presumed)
Madonna and Child
1942 (Presumed)
Torso
1942 (Presumed)
£30
Miss Romilly Seymour
1942 (Presumed)
Monsieur Cauvet Duhamel
1942 (Presumed)
Dr Colm A. McDonnell
1946 (Presumed)
Rev. Fr Gerald, OFM Cap.
1946 (Presumed)
Rev. Fr Senan, OFM Cap.
1946 (Presumed)
The Most Rev. William MacNeely, Bishop of Raphoe
1946 (Presumed)
Richard McKee, Commandant of the Dublin Brigade
1951 (Presumed)
Michael Collins
1951 (Presumed)
Locations
Address 17 Brian Road Dublin | View on map
1930 (Circa) - 1935 (Circa)
Address c/o A. Molin Upplandsgatan 79/11 Stockholm | View on map
1937 (Circa) - 1938 (Circa)
Address 15 Ely Place Dublin | View on map
1941 (Circa) - 1946 (Circa)
Address Studio, 30 Baggot Lane Ballsbridge Dublin | View on map
1951 (Circa)
Exhibitions, Meetings, Awards and other Events
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1930
1930
This was Laurence's first entry into any Royal Hibernian Academy Annual exhibition.
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1931
1931
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1932
1932
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1933
1933
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1934
1934
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1935
1935
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1937
1937
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1938
25 April 1938 - 11 June 1938
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1941
31 March 1941 - 17 May 1941
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1942
30 March 1942 - 16 May 1942
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1946
15 April 1946 - 11 May 1946
Exhibited at Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition, 1951
23 April 1951 - 2 June 1951
Taught Sculpture Classes, National College of Art, Dublin, October 1942
As mentioned in NCAD Reports and Minutes File, file no. 29. Letter from Director M. De Burca to the Chief Inspector [of the Ed. Dept?]. Mr Campbell was Acting Professor [of sculpture] from October 1939 and has been reappointed for each session since then (letter dated 5 Nov 1942), seeking appointment of an Assistant, as owing to the increasing numbers studying sculpture, afternoon classes also need to be given, in addition to Campbell's classes 3 mornings per week.
Taught Sculpture Classes, National College of Art (Dublin), Session 1941-1942
As mentioned in NCAD Reports and Minutes File, file no. 29. Letter from Director M. De Burca to the Chief Inspector [of the Ed. Dept?]. Mr Campbell was Acting Professor [of sculpture] from October 1939 and has been reappointed for each session since then (letter dated 5 Nov 1942), seeking appointment of an Assistant, as owing to the increasing numbers studying sculpture, afternoon classes also need to be given, in addition to Campbell's classes 3 mornings per week.
Taught Sculpture Classes, National College of Art (Dublin), Session 1942-1943
As mentioned in NCAD Reports and Minutes File, file no. 29. Letter from Director M. De Burca to the Chief Inspector [of the Ed. Dept?].
Mr Campbell was Acting Professor [of sculpture] from October 1939 and has been reappointed for each session since then (letter dated 5 Nov 1942), seeking appointment of an Assistant, as owing to the increasing numbers studying sculpture, afternoon classes also need to be given, in addition to Campbell's classes 3 mornings per week.
Taught Sculpture Classes, National College of Art (Dublin), Session 1938-39
As mentioned in NCAD Reports and Minutes File, file no. 29. Letter from Director M. De Burca to the Chief Inspector [of the Ed. Dept?]. Mr Campbell was Acting Professor [of sculpture] from October 1939 and has been reappointed for each session since then (letter dated 5 Nov 1942), seeking appointment of an Assistant, as owing to the increasing numbers studying sculpture, afternoon classes also need to be given, in addition to Campbell's classes 3 mornings per week.
Institutional and Business Connections
Elected RHA Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts of Painters, Sculptors, Architects and Engravers
1941 (Circa) - 1951 (Circa)
(1941) Listed as 'Keeper'
May be connected to Sharp and Emery
Campbell served an apprenticeship as a stone carver with a business in Great Brunswick Street called 'Sharpe and Emlys' according to the 'Dictionary of Irish Biography'. This may be a reference to this firm.
Professor of sculpture at National College of Art
30 October 1939
As mentioned in the Director's Report of the National College of Art, Dublin, 1938-39, p. 4:
'Appointed acting Professor of the School of Sculpture, and took up duty on 30th October, 1939'.
As mentioned in NCAD Reports and Minutes File, file no. 29. Letter from Director M. De Burca to the Chief Inspector [of the Ed. Dept?].
Mr Campbell was Acting Professor [of sculpture] from October 1939 and has been reappointed for each session since then (letter dated 5 Nov 1942), seeking appointment of an Assistant, as owing to the increasing numbers studying sculpture, afternnon classes also need to be given, in addition to Campbell's classes 3 mornings per week.
Professor of sculpture at Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts of Painters, Sculptors, Architects and Engravers
1942 (Circa) - 1951 (Circa)
Prior to this acting Professor of the School of Sculpture from 30th October 1939 according to the Director's Report of the National College of Art, Dublin, 1938-39
Personal and Professional Connections
Brother/sibling of Christopher Campbell
Christopher was the older brother.
Studied under Oliver Sheppard
1927 - 1936 (Presumed)
Sources
National College of Art and Design, Minutes & Reports Folder, file no. 29.
As mentioned in NCAD Reports and Minutes File, file no. 29. Letter from Director M. De Burca to the Chief Inspector [of the Ed. Dept?].
Mr Campbell was Acting Professor [of sculpture] from October 1939 and has been reappointed for each session since then (letter dated 5 Nov 1942), seeking appointment of an Assistant, as owing to the increasing numbers studying sculpture, afternnon classes also need to be given, in addition to Campbell's classes 3 mornings per week.
National College of Art, Dublin. Director's Report for the Session 1938-1939 Headmaster's Annual Reports
As mentioned in the Director's Report of the National College of Art, Dublin, 1937-1938, p. 4:
'A special class was arranged for the study of original design of Celtic ornament, and begasn on the 23rd of January, 1939, with Mr. Art O' Murnaghan as instructor'.
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Eighth Exhibition, 1937
1937
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Fifth Exhibition, 1934
1934
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and First Exhibition, 1930
1930
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Fourth Exhibition, 1933
1933
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Ninth Exhibition, 1938
1938
p.30
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Second Exhibition, 1931
1931
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Seventeenth Exhibition, 1946
1946
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Sixth Exhibition, 1935
1935
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Third Exhibition, 1932
1932
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Exhibition, 1942
1942
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Twelfth Exhibition, 1941
1941
Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts, Catalogue of the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Exhibition, 1951
1951
The Dictionary of Irish Biography: from the earliest times to the year 2002
2009
Laurence Campbell (with Christopher Campbell) http://dib.cambridge.org/viewReadPage.do?articleId=a1413-A&searchClicked=clicked&quickadvsearch=yes#A (accessed 19 August 2012)
Citing this record
'Mr Laurence Campbell RHA', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib3_1216822889, accessed 13 Jun 2021]
