English

Bronze statue of an aristocratic boy

27 BCE–14 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 162
This life-sized statue was found on the eastern Mediterranean island of Rhodes, whose ancient Greek cities were wealthy, flourishing centers ofcommerce and culture under the Romans. With his broad face and short hair, the boy resembles young princes in the family of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, but he may have been the son of an important Roman official stationed on Rhodes or the son of a wealthy Greek. As Roman influence spread throughout the Mediterranean world, there was interchange of fashion, customs, and culture. Romans had great admiration for Greek culture; the island of Rhodes was famous for its schools of philosophy and rhetoric, and this boy even wears a Greek himation (cloak) instead of the traditional Roman toga.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bronze statue of an aristocratic boy
  • Period: Augustan
  • Date: 27 BCE–14 CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 46 1/2 × 20 × 16 1/2 in., 150 lb. (118.1 × 50.8 × 41.9 cm, 68 kg)
    Height (w/ base): 58 in. (147.3 cm)
  • Classification: Bronzes
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1914
  • Object Number: 14.130.1
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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839. Bronze statue of an aristocratic boy

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