Art in the Archives: Artist and Model
Portrait of a workers’ leader
Polish-born sculptress Alfreda [or Fredda] Brilliant (1903-1999), fresh from working with Soviet luminaries in Moscow, explains why she wants Tom Mann (1856-1941) to sit for her. "I see no reason why our Trade Union Halls and workers clubs shouldn[']t have works of art of their tried and trusted leading comrade[s] while they are alive." The resulting bronze bust (shown in the photograph below) is now in the Modern Records Centre exhibition area.
Tom Mann papers: MSS.334/3/8/8; University of Warwick archive: UWA/Photos/III.B.2/1/140
