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Carved white marble sculpture depicting the head and neck of a figure with short, cropped hair.

Head of a Boy (possibly Gaius Caesar)

Unknown

The distinctive arrangement of the locks of hair over the forehead of this young boy relate this portrait to the Julio-Claudian line, the family of the Roman emperor Augustus (r. 63 B.C. – 14 A.D.). The sculpture possibly portrays Gaius Caesar, the oldest grandson and later the adopted son of Augustus. Gaius Caesar, raised as Augustus’ heir, had a promising military and political career before his untimely death at the age of twenty-three while on campaign in Asia Minor.
Artist
Unknown (Roman)
Title
Head of a Boy (possibly Gaius Caesar)
Date
ca. 10-5 B.C.E.
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
10 13/16 x 7 1/8 x 8 in. Overall
Credit
Hilldale Trust Fund purchase
Accession No.
1976.147
Classification
Sculpture
Geography
Italy

Related

Unknown private collector (New York, NY); 11 December 1976, sold by unknown private collector at Sotheby Parke-Bernet (New York, NY) sale 3934, "Fine Egyptian, Western Asiatic, and Classical Antiquities" (lot 127) to the Elvehjem Art Center [now called Chazen Museum of Art]. When sold at auction, the head was mounted on what appeared to be a custom-built 19th century bust and pedestal. [Last researched by Chazen staff 6 October 2021]

  • Elvehjem Art Center. "Bulletin 1976-1977." Madison: Elvehjem Art Center, 1977. p. 11
  • De Puma, Richard Daniel. "Roman Portraits." Iowa City: The Univeristy of Iowa Museum of Art, 1988. pp. 46-47, cat. no. 16
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Handbook of the Collection." Elvehjem Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, 1990. no. 8

  • Roman Portraits: University of Iowa Museum of Art, 9/10/1988–10/30/1988

This sculpture, carved from white marble, depicts the head and neck of a figure with short, cropped hair with fringed bangs that fall on their upper forehead. The head, subtly tilted, faces the viewer with large, blank eyes. The facial features, such as the mouth, nose, eyes, and chin, are rounded and carved with soft edges. The marble appears old and weathered with chips, gouges, and stains. The tip of the nose and left ear are completely missing and there is a gouge on the figure''s forehead. The marble is stained a dull brown color on both ears and the left side of the figure''s face and neck.

The Chazen Museum of Art welcomes comments or inquiries about works in our collection. Please allow two–three weeks for a response. Chazen staff is not able to provide valuations or authentications and such inquiries cannot be answered.

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