Frederick E. E. Schenck (1849-1908)
Frederick Schenck carved architectural sculpture for several buildings in London and elsewhere.
The sculptor Frederick Schenck trained at Edinburgh School of Art, and then Hanley School of Art. He showed work at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, and designed for several pottery works, including Wedgwood. However, by far his most important efforts were in architectural sculpture, where he developed an organic, Art Nouveau style. In London, he made the friezes and architectural figures for 37 Harley Street (close to Cavendish Square in London), Ingram House on the Strand (now demolished), and the public libraries at Islington, Hammersmith and Shoreditch (I think this last has been demolished too). He was also responsible for sculptural panels for Staffordshire County Council Chambers in Stafford, Oxford Town Hall, and the Municipal Buildings in Crewe. And thanks to Michael Riley for noting that the Queen Hotel in Southsea, Portsmouth, has two surviving panels by Schenck, which are over the original entrance to Osborne Road.
Sculptural panel by Schenck for Shoreditch Public Baths.
From what I have seen of his work, Schenck much preferred the female figure, very classical in style, combining a smooth, ideal treatment of the figure and any allegorical accoutrements with a characteristically detailed and close-hugging drapery to emphasise the full forms beneath. He made several designs similar to the nudes above, seated or crouched, sometimes as caryatids holding up masonry, in high relief or full statues (as at Southsea). Excellent work, and what a shame there seems to be so little of it now to be seen.
Much more detailed information on Frederick Schenck may be found here.
