Portrait Head of a Noble or Official
AD 175–200
Maker Unknown
Greek and Roman Art
Portrait Head of a Noble or Official, AD 175–200. Italy, Roman, Antonine period, 2nd Century. Marble; overall: 38.2 cm (15 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1952.260 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. When acquired, this portrait was thought to depict Lucius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius (reigned AD 161–69).
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- marble
- Medium
- marble
- Dimensions
- Overall: 38.2 cm (15 1/16 in.)
- Departments
- Greek and Roman Art
- Accession Number
- 1952.260
- Credit Line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
- Exhibitions
- Art: The International Language, Juxtapositions, Gods and Heroes, Baroque Images of Antiquity, Portraiture: The Image of the Individual
- Rights Statement
- CC0
- Museum Location
- 103 Roman
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