Relief, Marmor-Hochrelief eines römischen Kaisers, wohl Marc Aurel - 42 cm - Marble

Massive, deeply carved high-relief in white marble with the profile portrait of a bearded Roman emperor, probably Marcus Aurelius (Marcus Aurelius, 121–180 AD).

The emperor is shown in profile. The prominently modeled face displays a strong, protruding nose, a pronounced brow area, and a full beard. Particularly characteristic is the voluminous hairstyle made up of numerous plastically worked, partly spirally rolled curls.

Above the hair runs a plastically rendered leaf- or laurel-wreath, underscoring the regal character of the portrayal. The combination of dense tresses, full beard, and laurel crown references the visual language of ancient Roman imperial portraits and especially recalls representations of Marcus Aurelius.

The chest and shoulder area are also strongly plastically worked. Overlapping garment- or armor-elements with decorative insets and protruding details give the depiction a pronounced spatial effect.

The high-rectangular marble slab has a rounded top edge. With a material thickness of about 7 cm and a weight of approximately 15 kg, it is an exceptionally massive sculptural work.

The portrayal follows the iconography of ancient Roman rulers but is to be categorized as a post-medieval work in Renaissance tradition. The revival of ancient imperial portraits and their realization in marble reliefs was one of the characteristic forms of Antiquity reception in Italian art.

The back is largely flat and shows clearly visible finishing and tool marks.

Age-related state of preservation with surface and usage marks. Small chips, wear, and irregularities, especially at the edges and in the raised areas.

The relief was not professionally cleaned at an earlier time. Cleaning traces as well as remaining deposits and discolorations are particularly visible in the recesses.
The essential plastically carved details of the face, the beard, the curls, the laurel crown, and the attire are well preserved.