Portrait of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the Princeton University Art Museum, August 2009

Portrait of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius
ca. 170 – 180

Roman

Antonine

Carrara marble

h. 34.1 cm., w. 27.9 cm., d. (with restored nose) 26.8 cm. (13 7/16 x 11 x 10 9/16 in.) face: h. 19.5 cm. (7 11/16 in.)

Museum purchase, Carl Otto von Kienbusch Jr., Memorial Collection Fund

Object Number: y1958-1

Text from: artmuseum.princeton.edu/art/collections/ancient/search/

Marcus Aurelius was co-emperor with Lucius Verus from AD 161 until Lucius's death in AD 169, after which Marcus was sole ruler until his own death in AD 180. A lifelong student of stoic philosophy and author of an influential book of Meditations, Marcus was forced to spend much of his reign campaigning against the barbarians along the Danube frontier. In this over-lifesized portrait, which has a restored nose, the emperor's curly hair and beard are contrasted with the smooth polish of his face. His symmetrical features and placid expression create an impression of mask-like remoteness and serene power.

Text from the Princeton University Art Museum label.