Portrait Head of Young Man
Roman
1 of 8
Object Label
This head is one of a small group of portraits, made in Egypt and exported to the Roman market shortly after Octavian, later the Emperor Augustus, conquered Egypt in 31 B.C.E. Although the stone and probably the workmanship are Egyptian, the hairstyle and the neck’s gentle turn to the right are typical of Roman and Greek statues. Portraits made in this period but intended for the Egyptian market look similar but have a back pillar and stare straight ahead, like the nearby black-stone Head of an Egyptian Official.
Caption
Roman. Portrait Head of Young Man, 10 B.C.E.–20. C.E.. Schist or graywacke, 13 13/16 x 8 1/8 x 8 7/16 in., 44 lb. (35.1 x 20.6 x 21.5 cm, 19.96kg) 44 lb. (19.96kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 66.65. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Culture
Title
Portrait Head of Young Man
Date
10 B.C.E.–20. C.E.
Period
Roman Period
Geography
Reportedly from: Rome (vicinity), Italy
Medium
Schist or graywacke
Classification
Dimensions
13 13/16 x 8 1/8 x 8 7/16 in., 44 lb. (35.1 x 20.6 x 21.5 cm, 19.96kg) 44 lb. (19.96kg)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
66.65
Frequent Art Questions
What were the materials & tools used for this?
This head is made of greywacke, a type of schist. The tools likely would have metal, likely bronze, and polishing was done by rubbing granulated stone.Is this Egyptian or Roman?
Roman. One of the ways Roman's identified themselves throughout their vast empire was through their distinctive hairstyles, like the one seen here.So stylish!This a Portrait Head of a Young man. It might be a portrait of Gaius Caesar, grandson of Augustus! Stylish indeed.
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