For the present bust, depicting a gentleman wrapped in an antique-style cloak, it is possible to propose an attribution on a stylistic basis to Francis Legatt Chantrey (1781-1841), one of the leading English sculptors of the first half of the nineteenth century: after training as a carver and painter, Chantrey devoted himself to sculpture with great success, portraying many famous personalities of his time in marble, from the kings of England George IV and William IV, to the Duke of Wellington, up to many English nobles and exponents of the world of politics and sciences. This bust reveals in the treatment of the face and the drapery, as well as in the expressiveness of the portrayed character which almost allows us to grasp his psychological profile, some typical elements of Chantrey's production, to whose hand it is therefore attributed here. For a comparison, see the busts of Charles Long, 1st Baron Farnborough (National Gallery, London, inv.n°.NG2786), of William Murdoch (Handsworth Church, Birmingham) and William IV (National Trust, Benton House, Grantham , inv. n°. 436766)

Comparative literature: A. Potts, "Sir Francis Chantrey. Sculptor of the great", National Portrait Gallery, London and Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield/London 1981; S. Dunkerley, "Francis Chantrey Sculptor. From Norton to Knighthood", Sheffield 1995