Benjamin Edward Spence, English, 1823-1866, a marble portrait bust of a gentleman, mid 19th century, depicted looking straight ahead, his hair curling at the temples and with long sideburns, signed B.E.SPENCE FT, ROMA, 60cm high Note: Benjamin Edward Spence was born in Liverpool, the son of the sculptor William Spence. Through his father's friendship with John Gibson, Benjamin travelled to Rome in 1846. In Rome Spence joined the studio of Richard James Wyatt, while simultaneously receiving guidance from Gibson. On Wyatt's death in 1850, Spence completed his works and took over the studio. He spent most of his working life in Rome, visiting England annually for the Royal Academy shows. He exhibited at the Royal Academy himself from 1849 to 1866. The present lot is a fine example of the sculptor's portraiture and skill in carving marble. Executed in a Neo-Classical style, it reveals the influence of an earlier generation of sculptors working in Rome. The sitter would have been an English gentleman on the Grand Tour, who would have sat for Spence in his Roman studio. Please refer to department for condition report