Marble portrait bust of the emperor Gaius, known as Caligula
Unknown Artist
37–41 CE
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
H. 20 in. (50.8 cm) length 7 1/16 in. (18 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
Rogers Fund, 1914
Accession Number
14.37
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking marble portrait bust captures Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula the Roman emperor who ruled from 37 to41 CE. Carved during his brief and tumultuous reign, the bust measures 20 inches in height and exemplifies the Julio-Claudian period's imperial portraiture. Likely produced by an unknown Roman workshop, it portrays the young ruler with the characteristic idealism of early imperial sculpture—sharp features, a prominent nose, and neatly drilled locks of hair that convey both youthful vigor and divine authority. Roman portrait busts like this one ser...