Lucius Verus
Maker
Unknown
Dateearly 20th century
MediumBronze
DimensionsOverall (Bust, not including pedestal): 37 1/4 × 39 × 24 in. (94.6 × 99.1 × 61 cm)
Support: 78 3/4 × 29 × 29 in. (200 × 73.7 × 73.7 cm)
Overall (Bust and pedestal): 116 in. (294.6 cm)
Support: 78 3/4 × 29 × 29 in. (200 × 73.7 × 73.7 cm)
Overall (Bust and pedestal): 116 in. (294.6 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN5062
This monumental portrait bust depicts the Roman emperor Lucius Verus, who ruled alongside his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius from 161 AD until his death in 169 AD. On request of his better-liked brother, Verus assumed command of the Roman army in the Parthian Wars (161-166), which broke out on the eastern confines of the empire. Because Verus was often absent from the capital on account of his military duties, there were few opportunities to create new, updated portraits. As a result, all of his portraits share similar features and show the emperor with a then-fashionable beard and curly hair. Indeed, his hairstyle was noted by ancient authors, who described his long beard as “almost in the style of the barbarians” and reported that “he took such pride in his yellow hair… that he used to sift gold-dust on his head in order that his hair, thus brightened, might seem even yellower.” This particular portrait was likely made after the emperor’s death and shows the baroque tendencies of the later Antonine period, especially in the intricate carving of the dense and curly beard.
On View
On view
