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Marble portrait bust of the emperor Gaius, known as Caligula

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Marble portrait bust of the emperor Gaius, known as Caligula

Period:
Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
Date:
A.D. 37–41
Culture:
Roman
Medium:
Marble
Dimensions:
H. 20 in. (50.8 cm) length 7 1/16 in. (18 cm)
Classification:
Stone Sculpture
Credit Line:
Rogers Fund, 1914
Accession Number:
14.37

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 162

  • Description

    The portrait style created for Augustus was adopted by his family and immediate successors in order to stress the unity and continuity of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. This fine bust of Caligula (r. A.D. 37– 41) has regular features and carefully designed locks of hair similar to those in portraits of Augustus. Here, however, the artist has also conveyed something of Caligula’s vanity and cruelty in the proud turn of the head and the thin, pursed lips.

  • References

    Richter, Gisela M.A. 1914. "Department of Classical Art Accessions 1913." Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 9(3): pp. 60-61, figs. 2-3.

    Richter, Gisela M.A. 1930. Handbook of the Classical Collection. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, pp. 295-6, fig. 206.

    Milleker, Elizabeth J., ed. 2000. The Year One: Art of the Ancient World East and West. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, no. 14, pp. 34, 205.

    Picón, Carlos A., et al. 2007. Art of the Classical World in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, no. 413, pp. 358, 486.

  • See also
    What
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    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
130009328

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