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The period of the Roman Republic encompassed nearly a century of devastating civil wars and factional conflict. The primary aspect of Roman portraiture at this time (the first century BCE) was its uncompromising realism; particular features were sometimes exaggerated. While furrowed brows, serious expressions, and the wrinkles of age might be unflattering, they represented such important Republican virtues as wisdom, gravity, or political acumen. Vividly life like, this bust probably honored a respected family patriarch, and was most likely displayed in the family villa.
Posthumous idealizations of famous men were characteristic of the early Empire. In an age when Rome had conquered and consolidated its power over vast territories, art glorified past and current emperors and proclaimed the Empire’s grandeur. One of many images of the Emperor Augustus, who ruled from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14, this over-life-size head, sculpted nearly a century after his death, conveys the heroic stature and near-divinity accorded a great emperor.
Compare the two heads in detail to determine what makes one realistic, the other more idealized.
Both sculptures represent highly respected members of Roman society at two different time periods. Discuss the different personal qualities that were valued during each period.
Think about the images of leader that appear in newspapers and magazines and on television. What are the qualities that today’s leaders emphasize?
Bust of an old man
about 30 B.C.–A.D. 50
height x width (max.): 35.5 x 25 cm (14 x 19 13/16 in.)
Marble, from Carrara in northwest Italy
Bust of an old man
about 30 B.C.–A.D. 50
height x width (max.): 35.5 x 25 cm (14 x 19 13/16 in.)
Marble, from Carrara in northwest Italy
Classification: Sculpture
Roman
Imperial Period
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Bequest of Benjamin Rowland, Jr., by exchange, and Frank B. Bemis Fund, John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, and Mary S. and Edward J. Holmes Fund
Accession number: 1991.534
One sees here a man with close-cropped hair and a cap-like ridge on his forehead. He has thin, slanted brows and close-set eyes. His face is thin, drawn, and bony with sagging jowls; but he has a stong chin with dimple. The underside of was bust shaved flat near the front as if at one point the bust was adapted for another use. Encrustation is present on the surface of the marble, especially over proper left side. There is an old gash on back of head, part of the nose is missing, and there is an old chip from the chin and edges of the bust. Scientific Analysis: Isotope ratios - delta13C +2.115 / delta18O -1.661, Attribution - Carrara, Justification (Petrographic Analysis) - maximum grain size (0.9 mm).
View detailed information on mfa.org.
Hide InformationAugustus
1st or 2nd century A.D.
Height: 43.3 cm (17 1/16 in.); length (of face): 20 cm (7 7/8 in.)
Marble from the Lychnites quarries on the Greek island of Paros
Augustus
1st or 2nd century A.D.
Height: 43.3 cm (17 1/16 in.); length (of face): 20 cm (7 7/8 in.)
Marble from the Lychnites quarries on the Greek island of Paros
Classification: Sculpture
Roman
Imperial Period
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession number: 99.344
A marble bust with 18th century restorations; probably inserted into a full length draped statue. It perhaps was created for a private villa at Ariccia, near Rome, where it was found. This is a posthumous portrait of Augustus with many features that suggest that it dates to the late 30s or 40s A.D., although the rendering of the hair general expression are more suggestive of a second century date. The portrait is carved out of Lychnites marble from the Greek island of Paros, one of the most prestigious and expensive marbles in antiquity. This portrait of the Emperor Augustus (27 B.C.-14 A.D.) shows curly locks of hair, no wrinkles, softened bone structure; these features indicate is an idealized image influenced by Greek statues of athletes and athletic gods.
View detailed information on mfa.org.
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