Portrait Bust of a Woman, anonymous Roman, marble, Italy ca. 140 CE-150 CE, Art Institute, Chicago.
This bust, carved by a particularly talented sculptor, is thought to be done between 140 to 150 CE. The piece expresses a wealthy and luxurious-looking Roman woman, portraying an elegant persona. The figure holds a startling stare as she looks to the left, slightly angled in a way her hair can be viewed in all of its intricacies. The strands of hair to both sides frame her face, while also appearing to be combed back to cover her ears in most of their entirety. They also appear to be woven into multiple braids, wound into a multilayered bun seen toward the back of her head. Faustina the Elder, wife of Emperor Antoninus Pius, traditionally wore the hairstyle, making its creation plausible during this period. A luxurious crown-like headband circles the figure’s head, increasing her social status. The drapery she appears to be wearing is also luxurious. Specifically, the tunic stands out among the different aspects of the garments due to its amount of detail. In some portions of the marble, the artist carved the material so thinly, that light passes through some portions. In contrast, she wears an overgarment appearing as a cloak, possibly made of wool. The mantle of the piece scoops to the right of her breast, which was a unique feature of Roman busts and statues during this time.
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