Head of Augustus, after antiquity c. 1777 - 1788

Curator: This is Nathaniel Marchant's "Head of Augustus, after antiquity," currently held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a diminutive piece, only about 3 centimeters in diameter. Editor: It's surprisingly…gentle, almost ethereal. I expected something more imposing, considering the subject. Curator: Marchant's choice to replicate Augustus in such a small-scale format, after antiquity, speaks volumes about power and its reproduction through history. It democratizes the image, doesn't it? Editor: That's a thought, but to me, it feels almost like a whisper of history. A fragile reminder of an empire, contained within something so delicate. Curator: The material itself invites examination. What does it mean to recreate a symbol of power in, perhaps, paste? Editor: Right! It's as if the artist wanted to show us how easily these big, dominating images can be reformed or re-imagined. It is a great way to keep history approachable. Curator: Exactly, it challenges the very notion of permanence and authority. Editor: Yes, it's given me a lot to ponder. Curator: Me too, especially in relation to contemporary representations of leadership.