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Portrait : tête de l'empereur Constantin Ier

ca. 325–370 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 169
Désireux d’établir une nouvelle dynastie, Constantin le Grand, premier empereur chrétien (r. 306–337 apr. J.-C.) donna à l’Empire romain une nouvelle capitale baptisée de son nom : Constantinople. À l’époque de l’exécution de cette tête, qui faisait peut-être partie d’un buste mais plus probablement d’une statue plus grande que nature, Constantin avait adopté une image officielle, par laquelle il entendait se distinguer de ses prédécesseurs immédiats, tous païens. Le visage allongé et glabre, comme la coiffure soignée, reflète cette volonté d’évoquer les « bons » empereurs qui l’ont précédé, notamment Auguste (r. 28 av. J.-C.–14 apr. J.-C.) et Trajan (r. 98–117 apr. J.-C.).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Titre: Portrait : tête de l'empereur Constantin Ier
  • Période: Fin de l'Empire
  • Date: v. 325–370 apr. J.-C.
  • Culture: Romain
  • Technique: Marbre
  • Dimensions: H. 95,3 cm
  • Crédits: Legs de Mary Clark Thompson, 1923
  • Accession Number: 26.229
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

Audio

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1203. Portrait : tête de l'empereur Constantin I<sup>er</sup>

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