Cuirassed torso, perhaps of Domitian, detail of central decoration of cuir...
Cuirassed torso, perhaps of Domitian, detail of skirt: frontal view
Cuirassed torso, perhaps of Domitian: view from back right
Cuirassed torso, perhaps of Domitian: frontal view
Cuirassed torso, perhaps of Domitian, detail of pteryges of cuirass: three...
Cuirassed torso, perhaps of Domitian, detail of cuirass: frontal view
| Collection: | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston |
| Title: | Cuirassed torso, perhaps of Domitian |
| Context: | Possibly from Rome |
| Findspot: | Said to be from Rome (but bought in Florence) |
| Summary: | Torso of an emperor, wearing a decorated cuirass |
| Object Function: | Honorary |
| Material: | Marble |
| Sculpture Type: | Free-standing portrait statue |
| Category: | Separated fragments |
| Style: | Flavian |
| Technique: | In-the-round |
| Original or Copy: | Original |
| Date: | ca. 90 AD - ca. 100 AD |
| Dimensions: | H. 1.09 m |
| Scale: | Over life-size |
| Region: | Latium |
| Period: | Flavian |
Subject Description:
The figure would have stood with his weight on his left leg, and his advanced right leg relaxed. The right shoulder indicates that the right arm would have been raised, probably to hold a spear, while the lowered left hand would have held another attribute. The metal cuirass with leather straps is worn over a short tunic. The leather fastening straps on the shoulders of the cuirass are decorated with floral thunderbolts and lion's-head hooks. On the upper breast is a small gorgoneion. The chest of the cuirass is decorated with a frontal, archaistic Palladion (cult statue) standing on a cylindrical base, holding a shield and a spear, flanked by two dancing Victories wearing chitoniskoi. The pteryges, or hinged metal plates over the skirt, are decorated with a variety of ornaments, notably rams' heads, gorgoneia, a horned Pan's head, an elephant's head, a lion's head, a lion's scalp, and a crested helmet.
The torso has been identified with a group of statues representing the Emperor Domitian, the most complete example of which is at the theater at Vaison.
Condition: Fragmentary
Condition Description: The legs are broken off just below the skirt, and the right arm is broken off just below the shoulder. The head, neck, and right arm would have been made separately, however, as sockets for the insertion of these pieces remain on the torso. Vermeule notes that the torso may have been reused as building material. The skirt and the back are severely damaged, with signs of reworking.
Material Description: "Pentelic" according to Comstock & Vermeule
Collection History: From the E.P. Warren Collection.
Sources Used:
Other Bibliography: Berytus 13 (1959) 47, nos. 110, 111.