Italy, Roman, Antonine period / 175–200 CE
Portrait Head of a Noble or Official
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Portrait Head of a Noble or Official as sculpture (Italy, Roman, Antonine period · 175–200 CE).
When acquired, this portrait was thought to depict Lucius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius (reigned AD 161–69).
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as marble.
The museum's collection notes: 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.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPortrait Head of a Noble or OfficialOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.