Artwork Page for Head of Trajan

Details / Information for Head of Trajan

Head of Trajan

100–200 CE

Italy, Roman

Medium
marble
Measurements
Overall: 9 cm (3 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund 1925.468
Public Domain
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Location
103 Roman
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Did You Know?

Drilled pupils only began appearing on Roman portrait statues after Trajan’s death in 117 CE; their appearance here could be a later addition.

Description

Though this portrait head has many of the features associated with the emperor Trajan, such as his short, comma-shaped forelocks, other aspects of the statue are unusual. For example, all other known portraits of Trajan depict him as clean shaven, but this one appears to have facial hair. Provincial portraits—that is, those made outside of Italy—could sometimes differ dramatically from imperial standards. This head may be an example of provincial experimentation.
A marble sculpture depicts a man's head from the neck up, looking directly at us. He has short, thick curls carved in layers across his forehead. His eyes have defined lids, and his straight nose is tipped with a small chip. His full lips are pressed in a straight line. The white marble appears smooth, transitioning into a jagged surface at the base of the neck where the sculpture was severed.

Head of Trajan

100–200 CE

Italy, Roman

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