Bust Of Roman Emperor

Marble bust of a Roman emperor dressed in cuirass and paludamentum. Period circa 1700 Usual restorations, posterior pedestal H. 90.5 (with pedestal) x L. 75 x D. 25 cm The bust that we present today is characteristic of the taste for the Antique that has prevailed in France since the Italian wars. The ancient statuary was prized by kings, because in addition to its artistic dimension, it evoked a filiation between the imperial power of ancient Rome, and that of the kings of modern France. Our bust has a very characteristic cuirass, in the shape of fish scales. It is decorated in its center with a figure of a gorgon, a symbol that the Greeks and then the Romans used to ward off bad luck (apotropaic sign). The presence of this cuirass, frequently associated with the dress of the Praetorian Guard, may respond to the imperial desire to attract the good graces of this very influential army corps. The quality of the sculpture is not limited to the cuirass and is also seen on the leather valance sleeves which wrap delicately at their ends. The play of pleats offered by the paludamentum, held in place by a clip, is another fine illustration of the dexterity of the sculptor. The bust is similar to a representation of the elderly Emperor Augustus, commissioned by King Louis XIV to adorn the facades of his marble court and his royal court, now kept in the Louvre Museum.