Charles Dickens Bust: The True Story Behind the Most Famous Victorian Author Portrait
Charles Dickens Bust: The True Story Behind the Most Famous Victorian Author Portrait
The bust of Charles Dickens – with its high forehead, full beard, and thoughtful expression – is instantly recognisable as the face of Victorian literature’s greatest storyteller. For over 150 years it has symbolised creativity, social reform, and the power of the written word.
The Defining Portraits of Dickens
Charles Dickens sat for numerous portraits during his lifetime, but the most iconic image comes from photographs and paintings of the 1860s–1870s, showing him with a full beard, deep eyes, and a serious yet warm expression. These late portraits – especially the 1867–1868 photograph by Jeremiah Gurney – became the standard likeness reproduced in bust form after his death.[1]
The Iconic Jeremiah Gurney Photograph (1867–1868)
During Dickens's second American reading tour in 1867–1868, New York photographer Jeremiah Gurney captured a series of portraits that show the author at age 55 – with his signature beard, intense gaze, and a slight smile hinting at his wit. This Gurney photograph is the direct inspiration for our Acclaimed Figures bust, capturing Dickens at the height of his international fame.[2]
Key Features of the Authentic Dickens Portrait
- High forehead and receding hairline
- Full, well-groomed beard – the look he adopted in the 1860s
- Deep-set, expressive eyes – reflecting his intense personality
- Slightly turned head – adding character and life
The Most Important Historical References
- National Portrait Gallery, London – original Gurney photographs (1867–1868)
- Dickens Museum, London – period busts and portraits
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York – Gurney albumen print
Why the 1867–1868 Gurney Photograph Became the Standard
Earlier images show a younger, clean-shaven Dickens. Later ones capture an older man. The Gurney photographs strike the perfect balance – showing him as the world-famous author at the peak of his reading tours, perfect for commemorative busts.
Charles Dickens Bust Replicas
Original Gurney photographs are rare museum pieces. The most accurate modern replicas are now produced in hand-casted unsaturated resin – offering excellent detail retention and durability.
At Acclaimed Figures we use hand-casted unsaturated resin for every bust, ensuring lifelike features and long-lasting quality. Our Charles Dickens bust is directly inspired by Jeremiah Gurney’s 1867–1868 photograph, available in Antique Bronze or Stone White, 23.6 cm tall, on an engraved charcoal base with “Charles Dickens 1812–1870”.
→ View the Charles Dickens Bust Replica
