Head of Augustus from the Grand Tour, 19th century.

Head of Augustus, Rome 1st century.
Carrara marble.
Pedestal in turquoise gray marble of later period.
Faults and restorations. Head repositioned in the cavity.
Certificate of the Direction des Musées de France.
Provenance: Vincent Laloux collection, Brussels, 1980.
Measurements: 35 x 30 x 13 cm; 43 cm (total height).

Bust of an emperor dated in Rome in the 1st century. It represents Augustus wearing breastplate. His chest is embellished with a sculpted head with a gorgon mask and, on the shoulders, a toga topped with a button. It is inspired by the classical sculptures made during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, especially in Italy. These took as an example those of the Roman Emperors, found in the same Italian capital, in which different marbles were combined. Stylistically, the idealization of the emperor stands out, a detail also inspired by those ancient examples, with a somewhat pictorial treatment of the hair, which was also common on occasion.