Joseph Shepherd Wyon
Born 28 July 1836
Died 12 August 1873
Active: 1855 - 1872
Country of birth and death: England
Medallist, engraver
Born in London, died in Winchester. He trained with his brother, Alfred Benjamin, under their father and at the Royal Academy Schools. The two brothers took over the family firm, reconstituting it as J. S. and A. B. Wyon.
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.
Locations
Address Langham Chambers Edward Place London | View on map
1860
According to Post Office Directory
Address 287 Regent Street London | View on map
1851 - 1875
Also at 3 Edward Place, Langham Place (1855-8)
Exhibitions, Meetings, Awards and other Events
Exhibited at The International Exhibition, London, 1862
'Specimens of Medals'
Exhibited at The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts (Summer Exhibition), 1768-
1855 - 1872
Exhibited 14 times (plus work shown posthumously in 1875), an average of three medals per year.
Institutional and Business Connections
Owner of J. S. and A. B. Wyon
Studied at Royal Academy Schools
1855 (Presumed) - 1860 (Presumed)
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 588, no dates are given.
Wyon is listed as the recipient of a silver medal for 'the next best Model from Life', and of the prize for a medal die in 1855. See the Royal Academy 'Annual Report', (1862), p. 20.
Personal and Professional Connections
Brother/sibling of Allan Wyon
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 572.
Daughter/son/child of Benjamin Wyon
Eldest son. See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 588.
Partnership with Alfred Benjamin Wyon
1873
Listed as partners 'in the Die-sinking business, inherited from their father Benjamin [1802-1858], and founded in London by Thomas Wyon senior [1767-1830]. Shortly before the death of Joseph Shepherd [1836-1873], a third brother, Allan [1843-1907], entered the works to assist Alfred Benjamin'. See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), pp. 574-579. In vol. 8 (1930), pp. 297-299, Forrer lists numerous medallic works by the brothers that were exhibited at the Royal Academy, London, between 1863 and 1872; the medals are described as 'joint' works by Forrer.
Sister/sibling of Alfred Benjamin Wyon
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 588.
Studied under Benjamin Wyon
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 588, no dates are given.
Descriptions of Practice
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VI, 1916 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
Forrer notes that 'his first important medal was a portrait of James Watt, which, on Robert Stephenson's recommendation, was adopted as the Prize Medal of the Institute of Civil Engineers'. Succeeded his father as Chief Engraver of Seals on the 2 December 1858. The artist was as senior partner in the Die-sinking works founded by Thomas Wyon (senior), and continued by Benjamin Wyon. 'After his decease in 1873 [Benjamin Wyon] the firm continued under the name of J. S. & A. B. Wyon. Forrer lists numerous medals produced by the artist (some of which were also signed by Alfred Benjamin Wyon) dating between 1861 and 1882. Forrer lists a number of sources. See vol. 6, (1916), pp. 588-592.
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VIII, 1930 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
pp. 297-299.
Listed as medallist Post Office London Directory, 1860 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1860
Listed as 'Medallist and Seal Engraver'
Sources
International exhibition 1862, official catalogue, fine art department
1862
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
2004
Philip Attwood, ‘Wyon family (per. c.1760–1962)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/64499, accessed 5 Feb 2010]
Post Office London Directory, 1860 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1860
p.1696
Citing this record
'Joseph Shepherd Wyon', 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=msib4_1240240553, accessed 30 May 2023]
