Bust of Michiel de Ruyter (1607-1676)

anonymous

c. 1780 - c. 1795

zwart Engels aardewerk (black basalt), marmer en verguld brons

Rijksmuseum

A dark basalt bust of a man with long, curly hair and armor is mounted on a black marble and gold pedestal with an inscription and coat of arms. British ceramic manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood produced busts of the Dutch 17th-century heroes Van Oldenbarnevelt, De Witt and Michiel de Ruyter, as well as portrait medal-lions of Stadtholder Prince William V and his consort. Perhaps this series inspired De Mol’s set of smaller busts. The pedestal of this statue may have been made in the Netherlands.