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Unknown Maker, Roman

Portrait of Augustus
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Roman

Culture

Roman

Title

Portrait of Augustus

Period

Ancient

Year

0-39 CE

Medium

  • Marble (from Paros)

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Marble (from Paros)

Materials

parian marble

Geography

Archaeological Site: Italy

Dimensions

24.3 x 20.3 x 17.5 cm (9 9/16 x 8 x 6 7/8 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

26.160

Type

  • Sculpture

Publications

  • Books

A Handbook of the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design

  • Journal

Rethinking the Romans: New Views of Ancient Sculpture

Exhibition notes ; No. 13. Contributions by: Georgina E. Borromeo, Kent Severson, Mary Hollinshead, Crispin Corrado Goulet. Alt Author: Borromeo, Georgina.

  • Journal

Manual / Issue 5: Unfinished

  • Books

Classical Sculpture

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
Sep 22, 2010

Label copy

Augustus was remarkably handsome and of very graceful gait even as an old man... Augustus’s eyes were clear and bright, and he liked to believe that they shone with a sort of divine radiance: it gave him profound pleasure if anyone at whom he glanced keenly dropped his head as though dazzled by looking into the sun.

? Suetonius, Augustus, 79. (69-140 CE)

Although likely sculpted towards the end of Emperor Augustus’s life, this portrait depicts him as a handsome and solemn youth. Then, as now, images of rulers could be manipulated to serve propagandistic purposes. Depending on the message that Augustus wished to convey, he was variously represented as priest, military commander, or statesman. Here, the top and back of the head are unfinished, suggesting that the head was originally covered, perhaps by the fold of a toga. Depictions of Augustus with his head covered refer to his role as chief priest (pontifex maximus) of the Roman state religion.

Rethinking the Romans
New Views of Ancient Sculpture
Apr 06, 2001 – Jan 02, 2009

Label copy

This is a portrait of Augustus, who ruled in Rome from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. With over 200 surviving examples, more sculptural portraits of Augustus remain than of any other Roman emperor. Prominently displayed in public squares, baths, markets, theaters, and law courts throughout the empire, his portraits made him recognizable and present to his subjects, and at times even substituted for his actual presence. Depending on the message that Augustus wished to convey, he was represented as military commander, emperor, priest, or divinity.

This sculpture belongs to his principal early portrait type, which first appeared in 38/37 BC to balance his youthful inexperience with his imperial authority. The top and back of the RISD head are unfinished, suggesting that it was originally covered by a fold of his toga drawn up over his head. With head covered, the depiction of Augustus would refer to his role as Rome’s chief priest (pontifex maximus).

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Roman
Portrait of Augustus, 0-39 CE
Marble (from Paros)
24.3 x 20.3 x 17.5 cm (9 9/16 x 8 x 6 7/8 inches)
Museum Appropriation Fund 26.160

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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