In July 1803, Clemens Brentano wrote to his sister Bettine that he was posing for “the excellent sculptor Tieck, who is very fond of me”. Brentano admired Tieck’s ability to model his likeness “with a free hand”. The upright herm-shaped bust shows a bare chest and stylized curls. The head is turned slightly to one side, giving the work a sense of vitality. There are several versions of this sculpture. The one on view here was passed down through generations of the Brentano family.