Thomas Mansel Talbot

myminifactory

Thomas Mansel Talbot (1747-1813), a wealthy Welsh landowner with a penchant for adventure, embarked on the Grand Tour from 1770 to 1775. During this time, he commissioned a stunning bust of himself at a cost of £68 - a price that was considered standard for such work - from the talented Irish sculptor Christopher Hewetson. Meanwhile, Talbot also commissioned a second bust, this one of Pope Clement XIV (Museum no. A.22-1948), showcasing his appreciation for the artistic masterpieces he encountered on his travels. Hewetson, born in Ireland with an unclear birthdate, but known to have passed away in Rome in 1798, was a skilled sculptor who had honed his craft in Dublin before making the move to Rome in 1765. There, he established himself as one of the leading British sculptors of his time, specializing in portrait busts of visitors on the Grand Tour. Today, Hewetson's masterpiece can be found in the Sculpture Room 24 of The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries, case P2, at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This incredible work of art is part of a digital archive created by Scan The World, a non-profit initiative spearheaded by MyMiniFactory. This groundbreaking project aims to make fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the world accessible to the public for free. If you have an interesting item that you'd like to contribute to this collection, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.