This bust of William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield is the earliest of three known examples by the celebrated sculptor Joseph Nollekens. Signed and dated 1779, the bust shows Lord Mansfield aged 74–year-old, wigless and cloaked in classical drapery in imitation of the ‘antique’. It bears Lord Mansfield's motto 'Uni Aequus Virtuti' (Friendly to Virtue Alone) and was first recorded in the Adam Library or ‘Great Room’ at Kenwood on 21 September 1781.

Nollekens was one of the most successful sculptors of the late 18th century. He was well acquainted with Lord Mansfield and is known to have visited him at Kenwood. A second version of this bust, dated 1790 is at Belvoir Castle and a third undated version was a commission for Sir James Marriot, Judge of the Admiralty Court, for Trinity College, Cambridge, where it remains.