Fragment of a Portrait Statue of a Man, Perhaps a Roman Emperor

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This fragmentary statue depicts a man in full military regalia. He wears body armor (called a cuirass) that imitates the torso’s musculature, the front side of which is adorned with figural motifs intended to ward off evil. Specific motifs on the front, including the Gorgon’s head below the neck and the lion-griffins flanking an incense burner in the center, also appear on some portraits of Emperor Trajan (reigned 98–117), who expanded the empire to its greatest geographic area through successful military campaigns.

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