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Sculptural Portrait of a Roman
30s BC
Bronze; h 39 cm
This bronze bust, an important part of the
Hermitage exhibition, was created in the 30s BC
by an unidentified sculptor who has become
known as 'the Ermitage-Meister'. It was probably
part of a herma with a stone base. Despite the
lack of inlay or coloured stones, the expression
of deep grief and the sorrowful mood are so well
conveyed that it is difficult to find another work
of Roman art which equals this. In accordance
with Greek tradition, this Roman has grown a
beard and moustache to display grief at some
tragic event or in mourning for a relation.
The sculptor worked at a time when Roman
sculptural portraiture was still taking shape and
the traditions of Hellenic, Greek and
Etrusco-Italian art were being combined and
superceded. In this work the author created a
harmonious combination of the accurate
representation of the sitter, a tradition inherited
from the Etrusco-Italians, with the soft modelling
and desire to convey inner qualities which were
characteristic of Hellenic sculptors. From
representations on coins the subject can be
identified as Sextus Pompeius.
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