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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2003.96
Title
Portrait Bust of a Man, probably the emperor Balbinus (reigned 238 AD)
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
bust, sculpture
Date
3rd century CE
Period
Roman Imperial period, Late
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/219621

Physical Descriptions

Medium
alabaster
Technique
Carved
Dimensions
13.2 x 9.5 cm (5 3/16 x 3 3/4 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Stephen and Virginia Sandy in memory of W.C. Burriss Young
Accession Year
2003
Object Number
2003.96
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Small portrait bust of a man, probably the emperor Balbinus, who reigned in 238 CE. Approximately 1/3 life-sized. The man is depicted with closely cropped coiffeur and beard, which conforms closely to the features of the emperor Balbinus as depicted on coinage of the period. The squarish head looks straight on. His moustache and chin are more intricately carved than the hair on his head. He has a small mouth, rough hears, thick lips, and a wrinkled forehead. A mantle is draped around his shoulders.

Borromeo's dissertation argues that it is a private portrait. Dahmen's dissertation compares the bust's features to those on tetrarch monuments, leading to a later date of 300 CE.

Condition: fragmentary and reassembled from three pieces (head reattached to neck, front of throat rebuilt), right earlobe missing. Once inlaid eyes now have traces of encrustation or adhesive in their sockets. Left shoulder missing.
Commentary
LIVE LIKE A ROMAN: DAILY LIFE OBJECT COLLECTION

The most popular themes for Roman sculpture were deities and emperors. These statues were often idealized, meaning that they did not necessarily represent the emperor or ruling family to the exact detail. Sometimes emperors preferred to be depicted as younger, larger, or more intimidating than they actually were. The same problem is found with deities; these statues were imagined, idealized images of fictional beings, so no two statues are going to be the same. However, because of the long tradition of stone work the Romans had to build upon, many characteristics remain the same. We can infer that Roman artists projected a shared view of humanity upon their sculpture, and by looking at the work modern audiences are able to glean insight into how Romans looked or how they wanted to be seen.

Sculpture in the Roman world was most often executed in marble. Emperor statues were usually life-sized or larger, making this small portrait head less common.

[Jessica Pesce 7/2010]

Publication History

  • Karsten Dahmen, Untersuchungen zu form und funktion kleinformatiger portrats der romischen kaiserzeit, Scriptorium (Munster, 2001), fig. 154

Exhibition History

  • Roman Gallery Installation (long-term), Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/16/1999 - 01/20/2008
  • 32Q: 3620 University Study Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/23/2019 - 05/13/2019

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu