Cleveland Museum of Art
Head of Trajan
- Date
- 100–200 CE
- Medium
- marble
- Culture
- Italy, Roman
- Department
- Greek and Roman Art
- Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Object ID
- 107832
From the Cleveland Museum of Art record
Though this portrait head has many of the features associated with the emperor Trajan, such as his short, comma-shaped forelocks, other aspects of the statue are unusual. For example, all other known portraits of Trajan depict him as clean shaven, but this one appears to have facial hair. Provincial portraits—that is, those made outside of Italy—could sometimes differ dramatically from imperial standards. This head may be an example of provincial experimentation. Drilled pupils only began appearing on Roman portrait statues after Trajan’s death in 117 CE; their appearance here could be a later addition.
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Provenance & credit
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- Credit line
- Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund
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