Portrait Bust of the Empress Claudia Octavia
AD 50–70
Maker Unknown
Greek and Roman Art
Portrait Bust of the Empress Claudia Octavia, AD 50–70. Italy, Roman, 1st Century. Marble; overall: 38.2 cm (15 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1925.943 This portrait bust depicts a young woman whose idealized features and elaborate hairstyle may identify her as the empress Claudia Octavia (r. AD 54-62), unfortunate first wife of the notorious emperor Nero. Over her tunic she wears a stola, a long garment hanging from both shoulders and distinguishing her as a married, upper-class woman. Although beloved by the Roman citizenry and described by the historian Tacitus as “aristocratic and virtuous,” Octavia was eventually divorced and banished by Nero, then ordered put to death. The complex coiffure includes four elements: parted waves (top), tight curls (sides), hanging ringlets (shoulders, back), and a braided knot (back).
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- marble
- Medium
- marble
- Dimensions
- Overall: 38.2 cm (15 1/16 in.)
- Departments
- Greek and Roman Art
- Accession Number
- 1925.943
- Credit Line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
- Exhibitions
- The Silver Jubilee Exhibition, Roman Portrait Sculpture, I Claudia, Women in Ancient Rome, <em>Roman Portraits</em>, The Worcester Art Museum, MA (April 6-May 15, 1961)., Art of the <em>Seaway Nations</em>, Community Room of the East Ohio Gas Company, Cleveland, OH (Week of April 20, 1959).
- Rights Statement
- CC0
- Museum Location
- 103 Roman
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