Roman Portraiture

This Portrait Head of an Elder below displays the Roman Republic concept of verism very accurately.  Contrasting with the Greek idealism, verism emphasizes the signs of age, wisdom and, experience.  This man, most likely a patrician, is individualized and highly realistic.  Some believe that this extensive portrait sculpture created during the Roman Republic grew from the death mask tradition that is visually expressed in the Barberini Togatus, on the left.  Created around a similar time, this full-length sculpture shows a patrician carrying two generations of his ancestors, likely a father and grandfather.  The patrician also is highly individualized and his age is emphasized through his wrinkles and toga.