Unknown artist, Roman

This piece is likely an example of an honorary portrait statue. During Roman imperial times, artists and patrons began to insert portrait heads into statues based on well-known body types identified with certain deities. This practice was not restricted to members of the imperial family, as certain body types were used by patrons of different status and wealth. The intent in all cases, however, was to be represented as embodying the quintessential Roman ideals or virtues as symbolized by the particular deities. The distinctive front twist in the mantle (chlamys) draped over the Providence figure’s left shoulder has been found only on representations of the god Hermes (the Roman Mercury) and suggests such an identification for the Providence torso. Hermes was the Patron god of businessmen, especially those involved in trade. Known as the Hermes Richelieu type (after a statue in the Louvre Museum, Paris), the particular body type of the RISD figure was often used for portrait statues of businessmen.