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Bronze portrait bust of a young boy

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Eros, God of Love

Eros, God of Love
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Bronze portrait bust of a young boy

Period:
Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
Date:
ca. A.D. 50-68
Culture:
Roman
Medium:
Bronze, silver
Dimensions:
H. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm)
Classification:
Bronzes
Credit Line:
Funds from various donors, 1966
Accession Number:
66.11.5

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 166

  • Description

    This life-size portrait bust of a young boy, originally affixed to a herm of wood or stone, was made by a gifted sculptor who endowed it with great presence. His large soulful eyes are inlaid with silver, and his hair is arranged in thick layers of curls that even cover the backs of his ears. The boy's identity is unknown since no inscription is preserved, but the high quality of the sculpture has often led to the suggestion that he represents the emperor Nero as a child. Since Nero was already 13 years old in A.D. 50, when he was adopted by his great uncle and stepfather, the emperor Claudius, it seems unlikely that he is in fact the person portrayed here. Nevertheless, the style of the bust is very much in keeping with late Julio-Claudian portraiture.

  • References

    1966. "Ninety-seventhj Annual Report of the Trustees, for the Fiscal Year 1965-1966." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 25(2): p. 82.

    Oliver, Andrew, Jr. 1967. "Portrait of a Young Boy." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 25(7): pp. 264-72, figs. 1, 4-6, 12.

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1987. Greece and Rome. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, pp. 86-87.

    Coonin, Arnold Victor. 1995. "Portrait Busts of Children in Quattrocento Florence." Metropolitan Museum Journal 30: pp. 61-62, fig. 4.

    Pollini, John. 2002. The Cobanus Hoard. Gallo-Roman Bronzes and the Process of Romanization. Leiden: Brill, p. 2 n. 8; 17 n.15.

    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. 414, pp. 359, 486-87.

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