Portrait Bust of a Woman

Place of OriginRoman

Datec. 90 CE

DimensionsOverall: H: 19 3/4 in. W: 15 in. D: 9 in.
Chin to Forehead: 6 3/8 in.

MediumMarble

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineGift of The Georgia Welles Apollo Society

Object number

2016.19

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

Label TextThis sculpted bust depicts an older woman, a matron, gazing off towards her right. The relatively advanced age of the woman is rare for this type of portrait, which can be dated on the basis of the hair style. Ornate, corkscrew curls were fashionable for women of the imperial court during the Flavian Empire (68–96 CE). The ability to render this coiffure in stone was greatly enabled by the development of the running drill, a tool that allowed sculptors to create deep, precise holes with significantly less effort than before.