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Head of Vespasian

Head of Vespasian
 50 CE-80 CE

Medium
marble
Measurements
23.7 × 19.3 × 12.3 cm
Place/s of Execution
Italy
Accession Number
D48-1970
Department
Antiquities
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Everard Studley Miller Bequest, 1970
© Public Domain
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Gallery location
14th - 16th Century Gallery - Painting & Decorative Arts
Level 1, NGV International
Physical description
Yellowish marble head of the Roman emperor Vespasian, a little under life-size. The forehead is rendered as lined with creases at the bridge of the nose. The head is wide with large fleshy ears, making the eyes seem relatively small and the mouth also, with compressed lips. The eyebrows are puffy. The chin is fleshy, almost double. The hair is only sketchily rendered on the brow, receding at either side. The hair is very short and 'combed' forward at the front. The head is cut vertically, the cut surface roughened. There is a dowel-like hole in the centre. The neck break is rough and uneven.