Armored bust of Emperor Commodus, property of the Hamburg Art Collections Foundation, marble, chiseled, marble, Total: Height: 74.2 cm; Width: 58 cm; Depth: 33 cm, three-dimensional sculptures, bust, bust, historical person, portrait of ruler, state portrait, Commodus, Commodus, The Roman imperial portraits are an important medium of stately propaganda and testify to the Caesars' self-image. This bust undoubtedly shows Emperor Commodus - with his full name Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus - who was born in Lanuvium in 161 AD as the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger. In 192 A.D. a violent death ended his excessive way of life and rule. The head is turned to his right side. The elongated, wrinkleless face with its pale expression is framed by voluminously piled up, curled hair and a massive full beard. The hair is elaborately elaborated by a sponge-like drilling. The portrait is entirely frontal, designed to create a façade effect. The eyes are pre-swelling, the eyelids hang far down and lie in deep caves. Commodus wears a tank with undergarment and a general's coat (lat. paludamentum) with fringed edge, which is held together with an agraffe on the right shoulder. The political-programmatic claim behind this bust is unmistakably evident in the commander's costume, which had become a permanent attribute of the ruler, his power, dignity and victoriousness. The bust, certainly created in a city Roman sculptor's studio, dates from the last period of the emperor's life. The portrait can be assigned to the 6th portrait type. The limestone bust on the back of the bust shows that it is a sea find. While the rear side is strongly affected, the front side was probably lying deeper in the sand and therefore remained well preserved.
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