bust

Sculptured representation of the head, shoulders, and breast of a person. The traditional bust form appeared in Etruscan art of the 5th century BC, having originated in the herms of ancient Greece, square pillars carved with the head and genitals of the god Hermes. Realistic portrait sculpture developed in Roman art from about 75 BC, although strict realism later gave way to some Greek-style idealization for the purposes of propaganda. Ornamental wooden busts have also been used as figureheads on the prows of ships.

Classical busts When the Roman Empire was at its most powerful and affluent, art was not so much considered a luxury, than a functional way of displaying its owner's status or fame. The artist was also functional, being generally regarded as an anonymous craftsperson rather than an artisan whose skills were to be particularly admired. The Romans favoured propaganda art, depicting the glory of Rome, or praising national or civic heroes. It was in this climate that portraiture became particularly important. Busts of heroes, emperors, and other historical figures remained popular throughout the Roman era, although the sculptors themselves are rarely known.

The Greeks saw the head as the ‘mirror of the mind’, so they did not like to detach it from the body in their artistic representations.

Modern busts Modern sculptors of busts include Jacob Epstein, Amedo Modigliani, and Constantin Brancusi.