The Empress Sabina

Ca. 150. White marble, 85.5 x 55 cm.

This is the last portrait of Vibia Sabina (83-136 A. D.), wife of the emperor Hadrian. It does not represent her at her real age (some 48 years), but is a highly idealised and rejuvenated image. Her hairstyle is not a traditional roman one but is inspired by the imagery of the goddess of Diana. The portrait reflects the intention of making her appear ageless.

Technical data

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Inventory number: E00210
Author: Roman Sculptor
Title: The Empress Sabina
Date: Ca. 150
Technique: Sculpted
Medium: White marble
Dimension: High/Height: 85.5 cm.; Width: 55 cm.; Base/bottom: 31 cm.
Provenance: Royal Collection

Bibliography +

Hübner, Emil, Die Antiken Bildwerke in Madrid, Druck Und Verlag Von Georg Reimer, Berlín, 1862, pp. 137.

Barrón, Eduardo, Catálogo de la escultura, Imprenta y fototipia J. Lacoste, Madrid, 1908, pp. 154-155, n.210.

Museo Nacional del Prado, Catálogo de la escultura, Madrid, 1908, pp. 154.

Ricard, Robert, Marbres Antiques du Musee du Prado a Madrid, Feret & Fils, Burdeos, 1923, pp. 160.

Museo Nacional del Prado, Catálogo de la escultura, Madrid, 1957, pp. 110.

Museo Nacional del Prado, Catálogo de la escultura, Patronato Nacional de Museos, Madrid, 1981.

Schröder, Stephan F., Catálogo de la escultura clásica: Museo del Prado, I, Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, 1993, pp. 192.

Museo Nacional del Prado, Escultura clásica: guía, Fundación Marcelino Botín; Museo del Prado, Madrid, 1999, pp. 158.

Cacciotti, Beatrice, La tradizione degli ''Uomini Illustri'' nella collezione di don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza ambasciatore tra Venezia e Roma (1539-1553), Annali del dipartimento di Storia, 2005, pp. 209.