Artwork Page for Portrait Head of a Noble or Official

Details / Information for Portrait Head of a Noble or Official

Portrait Head of a Noble or Official

175–200 CE

Italy, Roman, Antonine period

Medium
marble
Measurements
Overall: 38.2 cm (15 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1952.260
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

When acquired, this portrait was thought to depict Lucius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius (reigned AD 161–69).

Description

A nobleman or government official is likely depicted in this portrait of a curly-haired man with a full beard. These features, together with drilled pupils and irises on the eyes, typically do not appear in Roman sculpture prior to the reign of Hadrian (AD 117–38), an admirer of Greek culture. Deeply carved beards and curls remain popular in portraiture throughout (and beyond) the Antonine period (AD 138–92), when this sculpture was probably made.
A marble portrait head depicts a man with short, densely coiled hair and a beard, the mustache brushed straight down. He looks slightly to our left, fine circles indicating irises and holes drilled for pupils. The right side of his face is worn and chipped, with dark-brown and rust-colored discoloration winding through his curls.

Portrait Head of a Noble or Official

175–200 CE

Italy, Roman, Antonine period

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