Head of Hermes or Perseus

1st–2nd century A.D.

Medium

Marble

Dimensions

26 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-208674

A life-size male head broken off below the chin. Protrusions on either side of the cap worn by the figure indicate where wings have broken off, identifying the figure as a Hermes or Perseus. The head is carved in the classicizing style with defined lines and idealized features. The eyes are set wide and surrounded by thick, protruding lids. The brows are linear and the bridge of the nose is a straight, angular plane. The figure has full lips and a slightly protruding chin. The face is surrounded by many small curs that are comma shaped and short at the top, though lengthening and undulating at the sides. The locks grow much thicker at the back of the head, extending over and covering parts of both ears. The marble is well-preserved, but with several nicks and scratches, including a long crack at the back of the head. Only the proper left side of the neck is preserved and damage has been sustained by the tip of the nose, much of the upper and part of the lower lip, and the proper right side of the chin. The marble is medium grained with some yellow-gray incrustation, primarily in the hair.