Portrait sculpture is sculpture that represents a specific individual, most commonly in the form of a bust, though it also includes full-length statues, relief medallions and equestrian figures. It is made in marble, bronze, terracotta, plaster, wax and ceramic.
The tradition descends from the realistic portrait busts of ancient Rome, which were revived during the Renaissance and became a central element of the classical interior. In eighteenth-century Britain, sculptors such as Louis-François Roubiliac, Michael Rysbrack and Joseph Nollekens produced marble busts of statesmen, writers and patrons, and libraries were often furnished with busts of poets and philosophers. The nineteenth century saw portrait sculpture flourish in marble and bronze, while factories such as Copeland and Minton produced Parian ware busts of public figures for a wider market. Plaster casts and reduced bronzes made famous likenesses widely available. When assessing a piece, consider the sculptor, the identity of the sitter, the quality of carving or casting, and condition, especially chips to marble noses and ears. Portrait busts placed on pedestals or plinths remain a classic way to bring a sense of history to halls, libraries and staircases.
