Bust of Nero in Warandepark, Brussels

myminifactory

Laurent Delvaux, a Flemish sculptor born in Ghent in 1696, left an indelible mark on the art world before passing away on February 24, 1778, in Nivelles. A highly acclaimed international career had taken him to London and Rome, where he honed his skills as a master sculptor. Upon returning to the Austrian Netherlands, Delvaux was appointed as the court's premier sculptor, bridging the gap between Baroque and Neo-classicism. Delvaux's most notable work is a series of twelve majestic busts of Roman emperors in Brussels' Warandepark, which have been a permanent fixture since 1782. These imposing statues are arranged around a stunning fountain, carved from gleaming white marble with each figure clad in jasper-coloured marble. Although the faces have weathered significantly over time, it is believed that one of these sculptures depicts Nero due to its subtle facial hair. This incredible artwork is part of "Scan The World," a groundbreaking non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. Through this project, we are creating a vast digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe, accessible for free to the public. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, and if you have intriguing items in your vicinity that you'd like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate and help shape this digital treasure trove.