Bronze Portrait of a Man Identified as Marcus Agrippa in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2008

Bronze portrait of a man identified as M. Agrippa
Roman, Julio-Claudian, early 1st century AD

Accession # 14.130.2

The bronze head was discovered on August 11, 1904, near the Arch of Augustus in Susa, a town in northern Italy not far from Turin. It clearly belonged to an impressive, full-length statue, but despite a careful search of the find-spot, only some small fragments of the rest of the piece were found. The identification of the head as that of Marcus Agrippa appears to be confirmed by an inscribed stone base that was also discovered.

Agrippa was one of Augustus’ closest friends and supporters, who played a role in the civil wars during the 30s BC.

Thereafter, he acted almost as second-in-command to the emperor and as his roving ambassador, dealing with troubles in various parts of the Empire. Agrippa was rewarded with many titles and offices, including the consulship on three occasions, and in 21 BC, he married Augustus’ daughter Julia. Through her he was grandfather and great grandfather to the emperors Gaius (Caligula) and Nero, respectively.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.