The portrait represents a youngish man in three-quarter left profile. He is dressed in a tunic, the folds delicately carved, and a toga pulled up to veil the back of his head. In front of the veil is a laurel wreath, worn over locks of hair falling in a wavy fringe. The face is broad, with jutting chin and prominent cheekbones. The brows are knitted and the lips slightly pursed. The gaze is intense, and the overall impression of emotion is increased by the movement of the head. For many years this portrait has been identified as a representation of Augustus, and indeed the hairstyle and facial features strongly resemble those of other portraits of that emperor. Yet its expressive style is derived from the images of the Hellenistic Greek kings who ruled the eastern Mediterranean lands once conquered by Alexander the Great of Macedon.

Provenance

William, 2nd Earl of Bessborough; Duke of Marlborough; Two American private collections.