John Nost (Dutch: Jan van Nost) (died 1729) was a Flemish sculptor who worked in England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Life

Originally from Mechelen in what is now Belgium, he moved to England in the second half of the 17th century, gaining employment with the sculptor Arnold Quellin as a foreman. After Quellin's death in 1686, Nost married his widow, and established his own sculptural works business in the Haymarket district of London. He was prolific and received many commissions, including at Hampton Court Palace, Melbourne Hall, Castle Howard, Buckingham Palace, and Chatsworth. Many of his statues were cast in lead. Van Nost died at his home at Hyde Park in London on 26 April 1729.

Apprentices and collaborators

Van Nost was heavily involved with other well-known sculptors of the day. He trained Andrew Carpenter, and his own nephew John van Nost the younger; his nephew moved to Ireland following his uncle's death and became a leading sculptor there. Several well-known sculptors had their premises near Nost at the Haymarket and it is known that he collaborated with many of them. For example, he worked on a commission with Richard Osgood for Hampton Court in 1701.

Notable works

Source: Dictionary of British Sculptors, 1660–1851, Rupert Gunnis.