Johannes Michel or John Michael Rysbrack, original name Jan Michiel Rijsbrack, often referred to simply as Michael Rysbrack[1] (24 June 1694[2] – 8 January 1770), was an 18th-century Flemish sculptor, who spent most of his career in England where he was one of the foremost sculptors of monuments, architectural decorations and portraits in the first half of the 18th century.

[3] Rysbrack was born on 24 June 1694 in Antwerp, the son of the landscape painter Pieter Rijsbraeck and Geneviève (Genoveva) Compagnon, a French woman who his father had married in France.

[3] He operated an important workshop with many assistants, including other Flemish sculptors such as Gaspar van der Hagen and James Francis Verskovis.

[5] He produced vivid portraits and monuments of lively baroque composition, rapidly establishing himself as a highly sought-after sculptor.

[6] In 1733 he carved a magnificent marble portrait bust of George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney (1666–1737) in the guise of a Roman centurion.

[12] Rysbrack is particularly well represented in Westminster Abbey with monuments to: Other notable works include the tomb of Dean Peter Drelincourt in Armagh Cathedral.