The Hope Roma

myminifactory

This bust is a stunning replica of a recently unearthed colossal bust of Roma, crafted with meticulous care by Thomas Hope, an avid collector and connoisseur. The bust has re-emerged from over a century of obscurity and recent research confirms it as the masterful creation of Vincenzo Pacetti. Based on an antique bust originally housed in the Borghese collection and now proudly displayed at the Louvre, this magnificent neo-classical sculpture took center stage in Hope's London residence at Duchess Street and later dominated the sculpture gallery at the Deepdene in Surrey, where it is seen in contemporary images of these innovative and influential interiors. Almost certainly produced in Rome by the renowned sculptor and restorer Vincenzo Pacetti sometime before 1808, this exquisite bust is a remarkably preserved example of Italian neo-classicism. The bold design of the bust, with its sharp attic profile and highly polished surface, offers a remarkable distillation of Hope's fascination with the classical world: an interest that had a profound and far-reaching impact on contemporary European design. Vincenzo Pacetti was a celebrated sculptor, restorer, and dealer who sold and renovated ancient marbles for British dealers in Rome and their Grand Tour patrons as well as for wealthy Roman families. Unlike some of his contemporaries, such as Carlo Albacini, he was a respected modeler and carver who held important positions within the Roman art establishment, becoming Principal of the Accademia di San Luca. Pacetti worked consistently for Prince Marcantonio V Borghese, giving him access to the Borghese Roma, which he copied for Hope. Statue Gallery at the Deepdene Penry Williams Watercolour