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 h [+]
The image of Publius Aelius Hadrian (76-138 A. D.) did not change much during his rule (117-138 A. D.). This effigy shows him in his maturity, and can thus be dated between 130 and 138 A.D. Despite a [+]
The sitter is depicted with a dense head of curly hair, a carefully trimmed beard, thin moustache, and a goatee beard between his mouth and chin. The young man’s elegant hairstyle imitates portraits o [+]
The refined features of this distinguished young man recall those of the Emperor Nerva (96-98 AD) and his hairstyle reflects that of the previous Emperor, Domitian (81-96 AD). But this head also has s [+]
This is a modern copy of a Roman portrait of a young man from the period of the Emperor Commodus (180-192 AD). While the beard recalls portraits of Hadrian (such as E-176 in the Prado) and others from [+]
The Greek word “neoni” inscribed on this portrait means “young”, but it could also be the name of this unknown sitter, Neon. With regard to his appearance, the hairstyle recalls that of Alexander the [+]
Realism in the depiction of physical features is one of the characteristics of Roman portraiture. The hairstyle became a further identifying element, indicating the importance given to personal adornm [+]
Este retrato de una romana entrada en años y con una mirada que delata seguridad de sí misma impresiona aún hoy por su realismo bien dosificado. En tanto los rasgos faciales autenticos de la retratada [+]
The portrait is of a mature, high-class lady with a serene and somewhat tired expression. Like many portraits of its era, it imitates the hairstyles adopted in the imperial household, in this case of [+]
This Roman herm, which was probably made to decorate a theatre, uses an image of Dionysus in the form of a mask, created between 425 and 400 B. C. in Athens. At that time, it was usual to hang these m [+]
Double hermae of gods, similar to the image of the two-headed Janus, were created from the first century B. C. onwards for Roman collectors. Here, Aphrodite and her son Eros, the goddess and god of lo [+]
In 136 A.D., two years before his death, Emperor Hadrian had the previous realism of his portraits replaced with an idealized image of him as a young hero. Gold coins with this portrait, minted during [+]
This is a Roman copy of an Athenian original from the early fourth century B. C. Its archaising appearance responds not only to the hermae tradition but also to the oriental nature of this particular [+]
Brutus (85-42 BC) is a controversial figure; an example of a traitor but also a paradigm of republican heroism due to his participation in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar in order to check his i [+]
A brilliant orator and politician, Cicero (106-43 BC) became the literary reference for the values of Roman culture. This bust retains the original inscription with his name and age at his death in Ro [+]
This fragment of a Roman statue shows Silenus holding the infant Dionysus in his arms. It is a copy of a Greek original made between 290 and 280 B. C. by one of Lysippus´s pupils. The realistic [+]
La representada es una romana joven cuyos ojos grandes, con perforaciones profundas marcando las pupilas, miran hacia la derecha en actitud reflexiva. Como este, numerosos retratos de particulares rea [+]
The son and heir of Tiberius, Drusus the Younger was portrayed from his father’s assumption of imperial power in 14 A. D., until his own violent death at the hands of his wife in 23 A. D. The realism [+]