19th Century, Portrait Of The Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180)

19th century
Portrait of the emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180)
Wood, cm 135 x 85 x 60

The wooden sculpture in question, which can be traced back to the 19th century, depicts the figure of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180). The philosopher emperor, a term often used to refer to Marcus Aurelius because of his activity as a writer (author of the conversations with himself) and a philosopher who was an exponent of stoicism, as well as a military strategist and emperor. He is portrayed in the present work not as a valiant leader, but as a thinker intent on reflecting on himself and his surroundings. He is therefore solemnly seated, almost in the manner of the Gods, wrapped in a toga of heavy shape, of which the clamide that wraps his shoulders is the protagonist. The curly hair as well as the beard, distinctive traits of Mark Aurelius as well as in general of the Antonini dynasty, frame the more senile features of the face. An air of quiet suffering seems to want to accentuate the severity and the meekness of the person.
The portrait was one of the most effective means to pass on the memory of oneself in time and responded to the need for a stabilization of one’s personal prestige. It was not simply a matter of reproducing the physiognomy of the individual according to precise naturalistic intentions, but rather of communicating a message of self-representation.
From here are born different types of portraits that, while preserving intact their ability to reproduce the features of distinguished men, interprets their features to offer now a heroic image, of the energetic man of action, now of the mature and quiet political man, the time of the wise and learned philosopher.

The object is in good condition