Cuirass bust of Caligula
Marble.37—41 CE. Inv. No. 1453.Copenhagen, New Carlsberg GlyptotekPhoto by Roger B. Ulrich
Cuirass bust of Caligula.
Marble.
37—41 CE.
37—41 CE.
Inv. No. 1453.
Copenhagen, New Carlsberg Glyptotek
(København, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek).
Description:
Roman marble portrait of Caligula (reign 37-41 CE), from Rome and now in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (inv. 1453). The emperor is shown with a military chestplate (cuirass) and a crown of oak leaves tied in the back with a ribbon (fillet): the “corona civica.” Note the small marble “struts” that have been left to add support to the fillet so that it will not break off.
H: 51 cm.
The find-spot of this bust is not known for certain. It was purchased in Rome in 1896 and had been privately owned before then. Within a decade of its public debut, scholars of the time questioned its authenticity, including Furtwängler and Lippold; the latter considered the decoration of the cuirass (around neck and shoulders) to look suspiciously like a Renaissance interpretation.
Credits:
© 2010. Photo, text: Roger B. Ulrich.
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 γάιος καλιγούλας imperator caius caligula emperor gaius caesar imperatore gaio cesare caligola kaiser empereur 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 προτομή bust busto büste buste of a man male maschile uomo männliches mann masculin un homme porträtbüste cuirass di corazza caligola
marble marmor marmo
armour armor armatura
shoulder-strap straps shoulder guards
fringe fimbria
wearing civic wreath corona civica civil oak leafs crown
taenia string strings lace laces band
knot nodo
gorgoneion gorgonion head gorgon gorgons medusa testa gorgone
thunderbolt fulmine inv no 1453
