Part 2 Galerie des portraits

Head of Antoninus Pius

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Head of Antoninus Pius
Head of Antoninus Pius
Head of Antoninus Pius
Head of Antoninus Pius
Head of Antoninus Pius
Head of Antoninus Pius
Head of Antoninus Pius
Head of Antoninus Pius
Biographic data
86 - 161
Emperor from 138 to 161
Date de création
Approximately 138 - 140
Material
Göktepe marble, district 3 (Turkey)
Dimensions
H. 42 x l. 25,5 x P. 26,5 (cm)
Inventory number
Ra 60 (1)

Unlike his predecessor Hadrian, Emperor Antoninus Pius had only one type of portrait, both on coins and for in the round marble carvings, despite having reigned for twenty-three years. This one, unlike all the other portraits of this emperor, seems to be the only one on which the iris and pupil have been omitted from the eyes. It is known, however, that this technique was adopted around the year 130 in lieu of the paint that had hitherto been used to bring these representations to life.

This outstanding portrait, which was designed in Rome, still has three small « bumps » at the back of the head, obviously overlooked by the sculptor in charge of the final polishing process. They are explained by the fact that the duplication of an official portrait relied on faithfully reproducing a prototype, in plaster or clay, which served as a reference for all copies made of noble materials such as marble. A pair of compasses and a plumb line were used to transfer reference points selected on the model to be copied, onto the marble block. The « bumps » or measuring points still present on this work prove that on the best copies that came out of the capital’s workshops, the back of the head was copied with as much care as the face. This portrait was probably sent to Chiragan shortly after the advent of Antoninus Pius to complete the series of imperial representation on display on the estate.

According to J.-C. Balty 2012, Les portraits romains, 1 : Le siècle des Antonins, 1.2 (Sculptures antiques de Chiragan (Martres-Tolosane), Toulouse, p. 195-205.

Bibliography

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  • Balty, Cazes, Rosso 2012 J.-C. Balty, D. Cazes, E. Rosso, Les portraits romains, 1 : Le siècle des Antonins, 1.2 (Sculptures antiques de Chiragan (Martres-Tolosane), Toulouse
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To cite this notice

Capus P., "Head of Antoninus Pius", in The sculptures of the roman villa of Chiragan, Toulouse, 2019, online <https://villachiragan.saintraymond.toulouse.fr/en/ark:/87276/a_ra_60_1>.