Getty Museum

Herm Bust of a Greek Philosopher

Date

late 1st century A.D.

Medium

Italian marble

Culture

Roman

Department

Sculpture

Institution

Getty Museum

The bust portrays an aged Greek philosopher with unruly, wavy hair and a full beard. His old age is clearly visible in his toothless mouth, sunken cheeks, deep set wrinkles, prominent tendons of the neck, and the protruding collarbone and ribs. His small, piercing eyes and disorderly hair give this man an intense appearance. He may be a philosopher of the Cynic school, which was noted for asceticism and disdain for social conventions.

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