Bust of a Youth

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The true identity of a beautifully crafted terracotta bust of a youthful figure adorned with an ornate breastplate remains shrouded in mystery. Skilled artisans have painstakingly applied layers of paint to give it the appearance of bronze, and it's possible that this very bust served as the inspiration for a long-lost bronze masterpiece. The distinctive bulbous base on which it stands may suggest that its creators had envisioned it being placed within a specific setting, perhaps a grand tomb. In 15th-century Florence, Antonio Pollaiulo worked tirelessly alongside his brother Piero as painter, engraver and sculptor. A skilled London-based firm known as Franchi and Son brought this stunning cast to life. During the 19th century, plaster casts became highly sought after by artists who recognized their value in reproducing iconic works of sculpture and architecture. By applying a separating substance to the original work's surface and then creating a plaster mould from that, skilled artisans could produce multiple copies. These reproductions were often sold to aspiring artists and later in the century, they found their way into art colleges where students could study and learn from them. Location: The Cast Courts' Room 46b houses this incredible cast within The Weston Cast Court, case FS, shelf N. It is graciously provided by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.