John Hickey (sculptor)

John Hickey (1751–1795) was an Irish sculptor.

Life

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Born in Dublin on 7 November 1751, John was the fourth son of Noah Hickey, a confectioner in Capel Street, and his wife Anne. His older brothers included the artist Thomas Hickey.

John was apprenticed to a Dublin carver and attended the Dublin Society Schools before travelling to London in 1776 to study further at the Royal Academy Schools. In 1778 he won the Royal Academy Gold Medal for his sculpture Slaughter of the Innocents. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in London from 1777 until death.[1]

Edmund Burke was enthusiastic in promoting his work to create a statue of Henry Grattan in Dublin.[2]

In 1786 he was appointed Sculptor to the Prince of Wales.

He died whilst walking on Oxford Street in London on 12 January 1795.

 
John Hickey's bust of Edmund Burke in the Trinity College library

Works

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References

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  1. ^ Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 by Rupert Gunnis p.200
  2. ^ J.A.H.M. Bunbury: History of Finnstown House
  3. ^ "A Catalogue of the Plaster Busts at the Athenæum".