Portrait head of a man

This head is of the finest quality of the imperial workshops in the late Hadrianic or early Antonine period. The emperor Hadrian had begun a fashion for portraying himself bearded like a Greek philosopher. His love of things Greek led to a revival of classical Greek style applied to typical Roman art forms like state reliefs and portraits of distinguished Romans. This elegant style continued under Hadrian's successor, Antoninus Pius. The bravura carving of this splendid head, with its pensive expression and subtle contrast between the light beard and curly hair is close to portraits of Antoninus Pius, though with more character than the stolid-appearing emperor.