Head of Alexander the Great
Unknown Artist
300–200 BCE
Medium
marble
Dimensions
26.5 × 14.5 × 13.8 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Ralph King
Accession Number
1927.209
About this artwork
Slightly smaller than life-size, this head of Alexander the Great features a slight turn, tilt, and upward gaze said to have characterized the young conqueror's posture in life. After his death, Alexander was worshiped as a god; posthumous portraits like this one, likely carved in Ptolemaic Egypt, portray him with long hair and youthful, idealized features.