Bust of Patrick Henry

Terracotta bust of Patrick Henry made from life in 1788 by an Italian artist traveling in Virginia. Originally a three-quarter length bust, the entire piece from the neck down was missing since before the bust was acquired by the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation.

In 1859, T. W. Walter of Washington, D.C. wrote: “This distinguished patriot sat for it at the request of Judge Tyler, the father of ex-President Tyler, Mr. Madison, Judge Marshall, and other friends, during the session of the great Virginia Convention that adopted the Constitution of the United States. It was considered a perfect likeness, and is looked upon as invaluable by his family and friends, with whom it has remained ever since, and from whom I have received this information.”

On Patrick Henry’s death, the bust became the property of his sister Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell. The bust was passed down through the family until the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation purchased it in 1996.