William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland 1745 - 1755

This is a small glazed earthenware bust of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, made by Louis François Roubiliac. The Duke's likeness is marked by his prominent wig, fashionable for the period, and military attire, hinting at authority and command. Consider how the bust as a form evokes the Roman tradition of honoring leaders and emperors. This act of memorializing through portraiture, deeply rooted in classical antiquity, continues to resonate through the ages, from the marble busts of Roman emperors to the bronze figures of Renaissance heroes. The image of the powerful man, gazing confidently, appears across time and cultures. Think of the emotional impact of such a symbol, how the act of creating an image designed to inspire feelings of awe and obedience engages with our collective memory, triggering a deep-seated response to authority. This response, shaped by centuries of inherited cultural experience, reveals a potent and complex interplay between image, memory, and power. The bust of the Duke connects us to the non-linear progression of symbols through time, forever resurfacing and evolving across history.