Head of the emperor Augustus
Marble. Ca. 30—50 CE.Height 55 cm. Inv. No. 68.277.New York, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
Head of the emperor Augustus.
Marble. Ca. 30—50 CE.
Height 55 cm.
Height 55 cm.
Inv. No. 68.277.
New York, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art.
Origin:
Transfer from the University Collections.
Description:
Octavian Caesar (63 B.C.-A. D. 14), great-nephew and heir to Julius Caesar (assassinated in 44 B.C.), defeated the troops of Marc Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt in 31 B.C., marking the end of the Roman Republic. A grateful Roman Senate bestowed upon him the name “Augustus”. He ruled Rome from 31 B.C. until his death in A.D. 14 as its first emperor. Augustus strove to return peace and prosperity to the empire, and the period was characterized by a series of new laws he instituted.
Portraits of Augustus were many, and two general types have emerged: the earlier “Octavian”, and the later “Augustan”. This portrait is an example of the latter, noticeably lacking the wide cranium, heavy brow, and prominent ears of the “Octavian”. “Augustan” portraits derive their less individualized and more idealized features from earlier Greek sculpture and mostly date from shortly after Augustus’s death and subsequent deification. This sedate, idealizing form of representation continued in various forms during the remainder of the Early Empire, which came to an end in A.D. 284 with the rule of Diocletian.
Portraits of Augustus were many, and two general types have emerged: the earlier “Octavian”, and the later “Augustan”. This portrait is an example of the latter, noticeably lacking the wide cranium, heavy brow, and prominent ears of the “Octavian”. “Augustan” portraits derive their less individualized and more idealized features from earlier Greek sculpture and mostly date from shortly after Augustus’s death and subsequent deification. This sedate, idealizing form of representation continued in various forms during the remainder of the Early Empire, which came to an end in A.D. 284 with the rule of Diocletian.
Credits:
© Photo, text: Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
Keywords: γλυπτική sculptura sculpture sculptural scultura skulptur ρωμαϊκό roman romana romano romani römisch römische römisches römischen römischer romain romaine romains romaines αυτοκρατορικό imperial imperiale kaiserliches impérial ρωμαίος αυτοκράτορας οκταβιανός αύγουστος imperator octavianus augustus emperor octavian august imperatore ottaviano augusto kaiser empereur octave octavien auguste ιουλιο-κλαυδιανή δυναστεία iulio-claudia iulii-claudii julii-claudii the julio-claudian dynasty dinastia giulio-claudia julisch-claudische dynastie famille julio-claudienne julio-claudiens απεικόνιση portrait portraiture ritratto ritrattistica porträtmalerei porträt marble head inv no 68 277 68.277
