Bust of Emperor Hadrian as a Young Man by Giovanni Battista Caccini

Bust of Emperor Hadrian as a Young Man c. 1590

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carving, sculpture, marble

portrait

carving

sculpture

greek-and-roman-art

ancient-mediterranean

sculpture

marble

Dimensions: 24 3/16 x 20 3/8 x 9 in. (61.44 x 51.75 x 22.86 cm) (without base)

Giovanni Battista Caccini rendered this marble bust of Emperor Hadrian as a young man sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Notice how the smooth polish of the face contrasts with the heavily textured hair, creating an interplay of light and shadow which animates the surface. The intricate curls of the hair introduce a complex pattern, while the folds of the draped garment, or ‘pallium’ as it is known in Latin, provide horizontal stability and a textural contrast to the smooth skin. The sculpture, therefore, becomes a discourse on the dialectic of form. Caccini not only captures Hadrian's likeness but also engages with the classical ideals of beauty and power, reimagined through a Renaissance lens. It's not just a representation; it's an interpretation that invites dialogue across time.

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minneapolisinstituteofart over 1 year ago

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This bust, with its dense, curly hair and straplike beard and mustache, is a Renaissance interpretation of Roman sculptural portraits believed to represent the emperor Hadrian (reigned 117–38 CE). A great patron of the arts, Hadrian was celebrated in the Renaissance as one of Rome’s “five good emperors.” A famous admirer of Greek culture, he wore a beard and mustache to fashion himself as a Greek philosopher. His example made facial hair chic once again among the Roman elite, and beards remained all the rage for almost a century.