Bust of the Emperor Hadrian

Italy, Roman, 2nd century AD
Rome, formerly in the Villa Montalto
Greek Marble
H60 cm (total), H27cm (chin to crown)
Townley Collection
GR 1805.7-3.94 (BM Cat Sculpture 1897)

Hadrian's reign (AD 117-138) was characterised by a peaceful consolidation of the Roman Empire after the aggressive expansion under his predecessor Trajan. In Britain, he was responsible for the creation of Hadrian's Wall, a magnificent border fortification against the barbarians in the north, both of military value and potent symbolic significance. Hadrian travelled widely and was known as a great lover of Greek culture. He was also the first Roman Emperor to sport a beard, a fact often explained by reference to his philosophical outlook and love of Greek role models. This fashion was eagerly adopted by his subjects throughout the Empire.

This bust found in Rome but made of Greek marble, shows the Emperor in heroic nudity with his head emphatically turned to the left. His elegant coiffure and beard are rendered mostly with the chisel. The eyes show incised irises and drilled pupils, a fashion first adopted on portrait sculpture in these years.