Head-and-shoulders classical-style, hollow-backed plaster bust of Vice-Admiral George Waldegrave. The sitter's head has short hair and side-whiskers and is turned slightly to his right. A robe is wrapped loosely round the figure, folding over itself across the front from the sitter's left shoulder and secured that way by a narrow belt or sash, also diagonally over the left shoulder, where it disappears under the robe.
The piece is signed on the back of the shoulders 'W. BEHNES Sculp. LONDON 1834' and inscribed 'LORD / RADSTOCK' on the back support pillar. It was presented with one of the sitter's father, William Waldegrave (see SCU0060), by the 4th Baron Radstock in April 1941.

George Waldegrave was placed on the books of his father's ship 'Courageux' in 1794, though he first went to sea under him in the 'Agincourt' in 1798, when his father was governor of Newfoundland. Eight years later, early in 1807, he became a captain and commanded the 32-gun frigate 'Thames' in the Mediterranean until 1811. He then took over the 38-gun 'Volontaire' until 1815, in the Mediterranean and on the north coast of Spain. Throughout these commissions he was highly active, attacking coastal positions and cutting out enemy shipping. He had no further service after the peace if 1815 but from 1831 to 1841 was naval ADC to both William IV and Queen Victoria, becoming a rear-admiral in the latter year and a vice-admiral in 1851. For his last forty years he was much involved in naval charities and, having strong (Tory) naval views, actively promoted the study of the French wars in which he and his father had fought. For this he formed a valuable library which his widow later presented to the Royal United Service Institution.

Behnes (1791/97-1864) was of Hanoverian stock, trained at the RA Schools and from the 1820s to 1840s was England's most prolific and successful portrait sculptor after Chantrey. He was also a good teacher (notable pupils included Thomas Woolner and G. F. Watts), but later became alcoholic and died bankrupt.