Bidspirit auction | Large bust of a man

Large bust of a man in civilian dress, signed, Victorian British School, 19th century - Marble. Measures 70 x 60 cm. Large-format bust depicting a mature man in civilian attire consisting of a double-breasted jacket, buttoned waistcoat, and knotted handkerchief, conceived with a marked sense of realism and meticulous attention to detail. The figure adopts a stable, frontal pose, with a sober expression that conveys dignity, moral authority, and emotional restraint. The modeling of the face is precise, highlighting the definition of the facial features, the gaze, and the bone structure, while the clothing is rendered with ample volumes and well-articulated folds that lend weight and sculptural presence. The carving of the marble demonstrates a solid academic training, with polished surfaces alternating with areas of greater luminosity. The inscription EC Pap Worth, London 1882, places the work within the context of 19th-century British Victorian sculpture, where the sculpted portrait was consolidated as a symbol of social prestige and identity, making this a piece of remarkable technical quality and representational value.