Head-and-shoulders small-scale bust of Sir John Franklin in bronzed plaster, signed 'A. C. Lucchesi' on the back, on an integral square, flared socle.

It was presented to Greenwich Hospital in 1899 by W. F. Rawnsley, Franklin's great-nephew, and shows the Arctic explorer facing forward, wearing a fur coat over uniform and three medals.

Franklin was awarded the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order in 1836. This is the decoration shown hanging round his neck, which is also in the NMM (AAA2079). He also held the Order of the Redeemer of Greece and the Gold Medal of the Société de Géographie, Paris.

This bust appears to be a version of a bronze also in the collection (SCU0109), or possibly a cast from it including the bronze's marble socle. There is another example in the National Portrait Gallery. The original was commissioned by Rawnsley, based on pre-existing images, who was not satisfied with the quality of these as commemorating his long-dead great-uncle. Lucchesi (1860-1924) was an Anglo-Italian sculptor, born, trained and with a successful career in London within the 'New Sculpture' movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.