This portrait bust of the statesman Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham, 7th Earl of Winchilsea (1647-1730), is an early work by Rysbrack, and helped establish his reputation in England. It could well be based on three painted likenesses of Finch by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723), dating from 1720, and because of this it has recently been suggested that the bust dates from as early as 1720, shortly after Rysbrack arrived in London. Perhaps the commission was indeed the reason he came over to England from the Netherlands. It may have been commissioned by William Finch, the second son of the sitter. It was certainly later displayed in his house in Savile Row, London. By 1774 the bust was in place at the foot of the Great Staircase of the Finch family's country estate, Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland. It remained in the family until 1999. According to the Dictionary of National Biography, the sitter was tall, thin and dark-complexioned. His manner was apparently so solemn that he acquired the nickname of Don Diego and Don Dismal amongst his contemporaries.

Rysbrack (1694-1770) was born in Antwerp, and trained in the Netherlands, but spent his working life in Britain. He was one of the most important sculptors active in this country in the first half of the 18th century, and specialised in portrait busts and funerary monuments. Although he never visited Italy, many of his works are clearly indebted to classical archetypes, like the present bust.

Gallery location:
Sculpture, Room 22, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries, case SWAL

This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.

Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London