Busts of John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley

William Wetmore Story was born in Salem, Massachusetts. After an early career as a lawyer he developed an interest in sculpture and literature. He and his family took up residence in Rome in 1856, and his home in the Palazzo Barberini became a centre for Americans in the city. He is buried in the Non-Catholic Cemetery, close to Shelley. These two terracotta busts were donated to the museum together with two other busts of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, which were eventually sold to Casa Guidi in Florence.

Wetmore Story, William (artist)

ca 1876

terracotta

busts (sculpture)
terracottas (sculptural works)

Keats, John, 1795-1821
Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 1792-1822

Possibly presented in 1910 by Mrs Ada Maud Story (wife of Waldo Story, William Wetmore Story’s son, who died that year).

KSH

Salone

ART-026