Day 58 - Bronze Roman portrait bust

June 18, 2018

Galley 164 revolves around Hellenistic art and the Hellenistic tradition in the Roman world. Most of the objects are from Greece or Italy, although I read that one small bronze statue is "said to be" from Trebizond (Trabzon), a reminder of the degree to which the Hellenistic influence was diffused throughout the Mediterranean and adjacent areas (and especially noteworthy to me because I've been to Trabzon!). In fact, many items in the gallery are "said to be" from one place or another. I suppose they were donated to the Met at a time when the museum paid less attention to provenance than it does now.

Today's object is a life-size  portrait bust from   "50 B.C.E to 54 C.E." (how could this latter date be specified so precisely, I wonder?) and said to be from Trastevere. It's an arresting image, which, unfortunately, I couldn't photograph head-on because of reflections off the case in which the bust is housed. The man looks out at us through eyes inlaid with ivory. His hair is cropped short. It's hard to determine just how old he is: His face isn't deeply lined (although there are the beginnings of such lines on his forehead), but he doesn't seem young, either. The seriousness of his expression gives him an air of maturity. 

The caption says that the identity of the subject is unknown, but that the fineness of the sculpture indicates his prominence in ancient Roman society. I think what strikes me so much about this object is that it shows how transient our claims to fame or status are. Who we are is unlikely to be remembered after we die, even through art. But at least a beautifully executed, noble portait confirms this man's one-time existence on earth.