Statue of Columbine at Wrest Park

This statue is typical of the rustic figures produced by John Cheere’s sculpture yard at Hyde Park Corner, London. In contrast to the classical figures he produced, which were painted white to imitate marble, these statues were painted with bright, lifelike colours, and traces of the original paint remain within the figure’s nostrils and mouth. Columbine is a character from the Italian Commedia dell’arte, a masked theatrical performance.