Artwork Page for Head of Alexander the Great

Details / Information for Head of Alexander the Great

Head of Alexander the Great

c. 300–200 BCE

Greece, Alexandria, Hellenistic

Medium
marble
Measurements
Overall: 26.5 x 14.5 x 13.8 cm (10 7/16 x 5 11/16 x 5 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Ralph King 1927.209
Public Domain
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Location
102C Greek
Print
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Did You Know?

Portraits of Alexander the Great share his characteristic anastole hairstyle, parted off-center and swept back from the forehead.

Description

Slightly smaller than life-size, this head of Alexander the Great features a slight turn, tilt, and upward gaze said to have characterized the young conqueror's posture in life. After his death, Alexander was worshiped as a god; posthumous portraits like this one, likely carved in Ptolemaic Egypt, portray him with long hair and youthful, idealized features.
A marble head depicts Alexander the Great, turning slightly to his right, eyes wide, lips slightly parted, and long, wavy hair parted off-center, covering his ears. His brow is well defined over his eyes and his nose and part of his right brow have broken away.

Head of Alexander the Great

c. 300–200 BCE

Greece, Alexandria, Hellenistic

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