Bust of a Nymph

This bust is related to Gibson's full-length statue of 'A Nymph untying her Sandal' made for Lord Yarborough in 1831. Gibson and his studio executed many 'fancy busts' after his own statues, and occasionally after well-known classical and neo-classical sculptures. Different from other goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing; their amorous freedom sets them apart from the restricted and chaste wives and daughters of the Greek polis. They are beloved by many and dwell in mountainous regions and forests by lakes and streams.