


Head of a bearded man, Imperial, 2nd century a.d.
Roman
Marble
Roman
Marble
H. 12 3/16 in. (31 cm)
Marguerite and Frank Cosgrove Jr. Fund, 1993 (1993.342)
Since eight other Roman copies of this Greek portrait type are known, it probably represents a famous figure. Although there is no evidence for identification, some scholars have suggested that the original statue portrayed the Athenian lawgiver Solon, one of the Seven Sages famous in antiquity for his practical wisdom. This head is one of the most sensitive and crisp likenesses in the Metropolitan's small collection of Roman copies of Greek portraits.







