William Tassie: The Sculptor of Portraits and Patron of Antiquities William Tassie (1777 – 26 October 1860) stands as a singular figure in British artistic history—a gem engraver who ascended to prominence not merely for his technical skill but for his profound dedication to reviving classical art forms and elevating portraiture to an unparalleled level of sophistication. Born in London, the son of Scottish immigrants, Tassie’s life was marked by both familial hardship and remarkable artistic success, shaping him into a pivotal figure within the burgeoning Victorian aesthetic movement. Earl…