John G. Mossman (1817 in
London – 1890) was one of a number of
English sculptors who dominated the production and teaching of
sculpture in
Glasgow for 50 years after his arrival with his father and brothers from his native London in 1828. His father
William Mossman (1793–1851) was also a sculptor, and a pupil of Sir
Francis Chantrey. He was trained both by his father and under
Carlo Marochetti in
London.
Together with his brother George Mossman they ran the successful firm of J & G Mossman which dominated
Glasgow sculpture in the mid-19th century.
Mossman sculpted the now iconic
William Shakespeare and
Robert Burns statues adorning the facade of the
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow along with the four
muses. His work can also be seen in the statues that adorn the Atheneum off Royal Exchange Square. He apprenticed
James Pittendrigh MacGillivray and they worked together for several projects.