Bust of Sir Hans Sloane
- Audio guide stop: 136
- Gallery: Room 1
- Maker: John Michael Rysbrack
- Made in: London (England)
- Object type: portrait bust
- Materials: terracotta
- Museum number: 1756,0619.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is a terracotta portrait bust of Sir Hans Sloane, created by John Michael Rysbrack. Look closely at the expressive face with a mole on the lower left cheek and thoughtful gaze. The detailed modeling of wrinkles, eyes, and forehead, along with the lifelike texture of the clay, reveals Rysbrack's skill in capturing realism.
Sloane is shown slightly turned to the right, wearing an elaborate wig and an elegant lace collar over his jacket. The carving of his wig and clothing adds a sense of grandeur, highlighting his status as a respected physician and collector.
This bust was completed in 1756 and presented to the Museum by Sloane's daughters. Rysbrack is known for his lively style, and this piece showcases the naturalistic movement and detail for which he is admired. Notice the two small circular holes at the back—possibly for air release during firing—but the front is thick and shows numerous fire cracks, signs of the challenges of firing a work of this scale.
See it in person
Bust of Sir Hans Sloane is on display in Room 1 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and type its audio guide stop number, 136, from the gallery label, or take a photo of it, to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
New, in beta. British Museum support has just launched and is still improving: over 1,000 objects so far, with more added all the time.
