Artwork Title: Marble portrait bust of the emperor Gaius, known as Caligula

Marble portrait bust of the emperor Gaius, known as Caligula, 37-41 AD

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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. Said to have been found near Marino, Lago Albano [Until 1914, with Alfredo Barsanti, Rome]; acquired in 1914, purchased from A. Barsanti. (http://metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/248851?rss=1)
Uploaded on Jan 24, 2017 by Suzan Hamer

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