This is a plaster cast of a bust of a young woman cast in about 1889 probably in Berlin. The original bust is ascribed to Mino da Fiesole as was made in Florence in the 15th century. It previously in the Kaiser Friedrich Museum, Berlin, where it was damaged during the Second World War.

Mino da Fiesole (or Mino di Giovanni)(ca. 1429 – 1484), was a sculptor from Tuscany specialising in marble. He was influenced by Desiderio da Settignano and Antonio Rosselino and is well known for his portrait busts.

Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes.

Gallery location:
Cast Courts, Room 46b, The Weston Cast Court , case FS, shelf N

Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London