Felicia Dorothea Hemans
- Artist: Angus Fletcher
- Date: circa 1829
- Medium: marble
- Dimensions: 26 in. x 17 3/4 in. (660 mm x 450 mm) overall
- Portrays: Felicia Dorothea Hemans
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is a marble bust of Felicia Dorothea Hemans, created around 1829 by sculptor Angus Fletcher. As you stand before it, notice the polished stone’s subtle sheen and how light catches the carved details of her face—softly rounded cheekbones, the delicate line of her mouth, and the attentive set of her eyes. The bust measures about 26 inches high by 17¾ inches wide, giving it a modest yet commanding presence.
Fletcher was known for portrait busts in early nineteenth‑century Britain, and here he renders Hemans with the classic marble softness characteristic of that period’s sculpture. In a letter to her cousin, she praised his work: “My effigy… is so very graceful that I cannot but accuse the artist of flattery.” This phrase suggests both admiration and a touch of humor in the sitter’s view of the piece.
The bust was purchased for the gallery in 1978 and now resides in the Primary Collection. It provides a tangible glimpse into Regency portraiture, blending sculptural technique with personal tribute to a poet whose legacy remains in stone.
See it in person
Felicia Dorothea Hemans is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
