Young Augustus – Large White Marble Bust Based On An Antique Model, Italy, 19th Century

A large white marble bust depicting a young man traditionally identified as Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus. This 19th-century sculpture reflects the Neoclassical taste for portraits of Roman antiquity and works brought back from Italy during the Grand Tour.

The face, with its idealized features, displays a supple and delicate modeling. The short locks of hair, carefully arranged across the forehead, frame a gaze with eyes that are not incised. The long neck and the understated contour of the shoulders lend the portrait a particularly elegant presence. The bust rests on a circular marble pedestal.

The work follows the “Young Augustus” type, best known from a portrait housed in the Hall of Busts at the Pio-Clementino Museum in the Vatican, under inventory number 714. However, the precise identification of the ancient figure remains a matter of debate.

Condition: Overall in fine condition. A small grayish vein is visible in the marble on the forehead. The right ear has an old break that has been repaired; the seam remains visible. Signs of wear and patina from age.

Dimensions:
height 53 cm; width 30 cm; depth 20 cm.

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