Thomas Nelson MacLean was born in Deptford, Kent [now London], England in 1845, and was the son of Horatio Nelson MacLean (c.1806-1879) an engineer. In c.1860 he went to Paris where he trained with the sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) and worked as his assistant. He also attended the École des Beaux-Arts before returning to London during the siege of Paris in 1870. He then worked for the sculptor Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905) before embarking on a career as a freelance independent sculptor. He became known classically-draped female figures and busts, notable among which was 'Ione' which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1875. His work was evidently influenced by contemporary painters of the classical world such as Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912) and Albert Moore (1841-1893). Alma-Tadema seconded MacLean's unsuccessful application to become an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1878.
His address was given as 62 Boulevard Montparnasse, Paris in 1870; 158, Vauxhall Bridge Road. London in 1873; 3, Middieton Road, Camden Town, London in 1874; 141, Church Street, Chelsea, London in 1875 and 1886; and 13, Bruton Street, London in 1887 and 1891. He died on 21 November 1894. His address at the time of his death was 113 Church Street, Chelsea, London.
Text source: Art History Research net (AHR net)
Text source: Art History Research net (AHR net)
