Cleveland Museum of Art

Portrait Head of a Noble or Official

Date

175–200 CE

Medium

marble

Culture

Italy, Roman, Antonine period

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

A nobleman or government official is likely depicted in this portrait of a curly-haired man with a full beard. These features, together with drilled pupils and irises on the eyes, typically do not appear in Roman sculpture prior to the reign of Hadrian (AD 117–38), an admirer of Greek culture. Deeply carved beards and curls remain popular in portraiture throughout (and beyond) the Antonine period (AD 138–92), when this sculpture was probably made. When acquired, this portrait was thought to depict Lucius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius (reigned AD 161–69).

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