John Cheere: The Sculptor of Stately Gardens John Cheere, a name perhaps less familiar than his contemporaries Sir Henry or Canaletto, nevertheless holds a significant place in the history of 18th-century British sculpture. Born in London in 1709, he emerged from an unlikely background – initially apprenticed as a haberdasher – to become one of the most prolific and influential creators of lead statues adorning the gardens of England’s grandest estates. His legacy isn't found in monumental public works, but rather in the charming, often whimsical figures that still grace the landscapes of st…