Stone head of a Julio-Claudian youth, possibly of Gaius Caesar

Unknown

ca. 5 BCE, or later · gypsum alabaster · Greek and Roman Art

The head, traditionally identified as a young Augustus, may now be compared with portraits of his elder grandson, Gaius Caesar (20 B.C.–A.D. 4). He is represented here as an adolescent of about 13 to 15 years of age, thus dating the work (if contemporary) to ca. 7–5 B.C. However, the identity and indeed the authenticity of the present head, like several others identified as Gaius Caesar, remain the subject of scholarly discussion and research. The condition of the stone also contributes to the difficulty in ascertaining whether the head is ancient or a high-quality European reproduction.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 5 BCE, or later

Medium

gypsum alabaster

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of George P. Tetzel, 2011