Jane Craufurd (1798-1884) was a young lady of the English aristocracy travelling in Italy in 1818 together with her parents. The coiffure with the plaits wound twice round her head is typical of the time and is found on several of Thorvaldsen’s models. Craufurd’s mother commissioned no fewer than 12 plaster versions of the bust from Thorvaldsen – presumably to be used as gifts for friends and acquaintances.
