Colossal bust of Lucius Verus
Marble.
Third quarter of the 2nd century.
Height 96.5 cm. Royal-Athena GalleriesPhoto by Jerome M. Eisenberg and Brent M. Ridge

Colossal bust of Lucius Verus.

Marble.
Third quarter of the 2nd century.
Height 96.5 cm.

Royal-Athena Galleries.

Private collection, France.
Origin:
Ex old private collection, the Chateau Pierredon, Egguire, France.
2004 — Royal-Athena Galleries, New York (Royal-Athena Catalog No. 79. Art of the Ancient World. Jan. 2004, vol. XV, lot 31. Price [update 03.11.2006]: POR).
Description:

31. Colossal Roman marble portrait bust of Lucius Verus, wearing a cuirass over-draped with a cloak held by a fibula on his right shoulder

3rd quarter of the 2nd century AD.
H. 38 in. (96.5 cm.)
Ex old private collection, the Chateau Pierredon, Egguire, France.
Nose, upper lip, and part of moustache are restored.

An extremely fine representation of a noted emperor considered in his day to have been one of the most handsome men in the empire, and who is known to have flecked his blond hair with gold dust to effect a dazzling appearance when standing in the sunlight.

Lucius Verus was the son of Hadrian’s adopted heir, Lucius Aelius Caesar, and was only eight years old when his father died in AD 138 at which time Hadrian adopted Antoninus Pius as his heir on the condition that he would adopt Lucius Verus as well as Marcus Aurelius as his heirs. Upon the death of Antoninus Pius in AD 161, they became co-emperors. Lucius married Marcus Aurelius’ daughter, Annia Lucilla, in AD 164.

He was a successful military campaigner, conquering Armenia and Medea as well as subduing Rome’s greatest rival, the Parthian Empire.

Literature:
Cf. head from the Toledo Art Museum, publ.: C. Vermeule, Greek and Roman Sculpture in America, no. 287.
Credits:
© 2003. Photo, text: Royal-Athena Catalog No. 79. Art of the Ancient World: Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian & Near Eastern Antiquities. Jan. 2004, vol. XV. Royal-Athena Galleries, New York—London 2003. P. 15, lot 31.
© 2003. Photo: Jerome M. Eisenberg and Brent M. Ridge.
THE GALLERY OF ANCIENT ART
Keywords: απεικόνιση portrait portraiture ritratto ritrattistica porträtmalerei porträt of a man male maschile uomo männliches mann masculin un homme porträtbüste roman romana römisches romain αυτοκρατορικό imperial imperiale kaiserliches impérial antonine dynasty adoptive emperors dinastia degli antonini imperatori adottivi d’adozione antoninische dynastie adoptivkaiser antonins ρωμαίος αυτοκράτορας λεύκιος βέρος imperator lucius verus emperor imperatore romano lucio vero römischer kaiser empereur aurelius γλυπτική sculptura sculpture sculptural scultura skulptur ρωμαϊκό romani römisch römische römischen romaine romains romaines προτομή bust busto büste buste marble marmo marmor marbre μάρμαρο armour armor armatura rüstung armure πανοπλία military cloak mantello militare militärischer mantel manteau militaire στρατιωτικό μανδύα paludamentum beard bearded barba barbuto bart bärtiger barbe barbu barbatum γενειάδα γενειοφόρος άνθρωπος fastener clasp brooch fibbia spilla fibel schließe fibule fibula colossal colossale kolossaler kolossale κολοσσιαία κολοσσιαίο tly03c
History of Ancient Rome