Title: Mary Robinson

Artist: David d'Angers

Bust of Mary Robinson 1824 Pierre-Jean David d'Angers French, 1788–1856 Marble Mary Robinson was the daughter of an American sea captain, Henry Robinson, whose associations with French society through his maritime travels may have brought him into contact with David d'Angers. The square termination of the bust and the unadorned depiction emphasize the portrait's starkness and geometric simplicity. The timeless image is softened by the realistic rendering of the nose and lips. Most striking is the treatment of the hair, in which the curls are deeply carved to maximize their shadows. These contrasts underscore David d'Angers' unique approach to portraiture.