Susan D. Durant

Studied with the French sculptor Baron Henri de Triqueti, remaining his assistant throughout her life. She made frequent trips to his Paris studio but had her own studio in London. In 1847, she received the Society of Art's silver Isis medal for an original portrait bust. She exhibited there annually for the rest of her life. Triqueti introduced Durant into the royal circle and she received many commissions from Queen Victoria including high-relief marble medallions of the queen, Prince Albert and their children. She also taught Princess Louise sculpture. Her most important commission was from Queen Victoria for a monument to King Leopold of the Belgians for St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Text © National Portrait Gallery, London