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Bust of the Roman poet Virgil (70 BC–19 BC), crowned with a laurel wreath
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After John Cheere (1709 - 1787), sculptor
Bust of the Roman poet Virgil (70 BC–19 BC), crowned with a laurel wreath
Plaster
Museum number: A86
On display: Lobby to the Breakfast Room
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
This plaster bust is a copy/cast of a marble bust by John Cheere, one of a series of busts of worthies (more than 20) made for the Library of Trinity College Cambridge (Trinity collection no. TCS90), c.1755-60. A smaller set (8) of plaster busts of worthies by Cheere (a different cast of characters but including Virgil) painted in imitation of bronze, was at Haseley Court, Oxfordshire (sold by Christie's, 'Julians Park and Six Private Collections', Lot 149, 8 June 2021). The bust of Virgil was also reproduced by Wedgwood in black basalt. All the non-Soane examples in marble and plaster so far identified have integral socles with the name inscribed on the front. The Soane bust has a different, circular socle and a much small inscription-tablet. The Trinity series includes a bust of Shakespeare of which Soane also owned a plaster copy (SM S68).
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk