Sculpture
Roman General
1 of 7
This bust copies an ancient sculpture that was popular in the 18th century among Grand Tourists—comprised mainly of wealthy British young men—traveling through Italy, and it captured the imagination of sculptors looking for exemplars to copy.
Rather than slavishly copying, however, the artist has chosen to deviate from the more static and clothed original to create a strikingly original version. He strips the subject of drapery and tips the head up and away from the viewer, producing an elegantly theatrical presentation. And by emphasizing the patterned articulation of the ribs at the sternum, the expressive pose takes on a gutsy muscularity.
Rather than slavishly copying, however, the artist has chosen to deviate from the more static and clothed original to create a strikingly original version. He strips the subject of drapery and tips the head up and away from the viewer, producing an elegantly theatrical presentation. And by emphasizing the patterned articulation of the ribs at the sternum, the expressive pose takes on a gutsy muscularity.
