Leopold II of Habsburg-Lorraine, Grand Duke of Tuscany

Leopold II was much loved by the Tuscan people because of the benevolence he demonstrated during the years of his rule. This is why there are so many monuments, tombstones, paintings, engravings, medals and photographs depicting him at all ages. Lorenzo Bartolini is indebted to him for his appointment to the professorship of sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, which he received in 1840, after having been denied the post for fourteen years, due to his ideas that ran counter to classicist dogmas. In 1848 Bartolini was also appointed senator of the Grand Duke.
A bronze version of this portrait bust was also made for the Ospedale degli Innocenti hospital.