Marble head of the youthful Marcus Aurelius
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.This portrait depicts a youthful Marcus Aurelius prior to his reign as Emperor. Dating to ca. A.D. 140, the future ruler is shown with a voluminous head of curls and characteristic large oval eyes. He has yet to assume a long beard, which in later representations reflects his image as the "philosopher king" and his adherence to the principles of Greek Stoicism, as chronicled in twelve books known today with the modern title Meditations.
Artwork Details
- Title: Marble head of the youthful Marcus Aurelius
- Period: Imperial
- Date: ca. 138 CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Marble
- Dimensions: 13 × 10 1/2 × 9 5/8 in., 49.5 lb. (33 × 26.7 × 24.4 cm), 49.5 lbs.
- Classification: Stone Sculpture
- Credit Line: Lent by the Cindy and David Sofer Collection
- Object Number: L.2022.1
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art