A bust is the sculptural portrayal of a human figure from the head down (at most) to the hips. Different types extend to the shoulders or chest or to the half figure (usually with arms). The bust as a form for depicting an individual was particularly widespread in portraiture (Portrait), a genre that dates back as far as Ancient Egypt (Nefertiti, Berlin). Other genres, such as stylized portrayals of saints, are known as early as the Middle Ages. The commonest materials for bustss are terra cotta, stone (especially marble), and bronze.

The etymology of the word bust is unclear. In Italian, bust…