Marble head of a veiled man
Unknown Artist
1st half of 1st century CE
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
H. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Classification
Stone Sculpture
Culture & Period
Roman · Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Bothmer Purchase Fund, 1991
Accession Number
1991.11.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite marble head of a veiled man, carved in the first half of the 1st century CE during Rome's Early Imperial Julio-Claudian period, the refined artistry of Roman stone sculpture. Standing just 10 inches (25.4 cm) tall, it likely formed part of a larger statue, showcasing the era's mastery of marble—a durable, luminous medium quarried from imperial sources like Carrara and prized for its to convey lifelike texture and subtle modeling. The veil draped over the man's head is a poignant detail, evoking Roman rituals where priests (sacerdotes wore such coverings during sacrifices to sig...