John Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), a native of Belgium, became one of England's leading sculptors during the first half of the 18th century.
Having been trained in the classical tradition, he went to England in 1720 and worked under the architect James Gibbs. Rysbrack produced a large number of monuments, the most famous being his statue of Hercules in 1747 in Stourhead, Wiltshire, England. He also executed portrait busts, always showing a strong feeling for his sitter's character.