Portrait of a Bearded Roman

This is an 11 ⅞” marble bust of a bearded male figure, produced in Rome around the mid-2nd century A.D. by an unknown patron. A great amount of detail can be seen in the hair and beard. The nose of the bust has been damaged and is missing, and the eyes do not appear to have any discernible pupils or irises. The carving on the bust seems to be a mix of contrasting idealistic and veristic styles, as evidenced by the square, idealized shape of the bust’s face and the more realistic wrinkles on the bust’s forehead. The bust is severed at the neck, indicating that it is part of a larger piece. It is uncertain whether this piece was originally a bust, or if it may have been part of a full-length statue that was later cut for ease of sale or transport. The absence of these key identifying details make identifying the subject depicted in the bust difficult; however, based on details that are present, it seems likely that this could be a portrait of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius.