The Emperor Augustus (63BC-14AD) as a Youth
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About the work
- Location
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Country: UK
City: London
Place: Downing Street
Busts like this example, which emulate antique Roman sculpture, became popular features in English country houses as a result of the Grand Tour. The practice of making an educational journey, or Grand Tour, through Europe began in around 1660, for the purpose of educating wealthy young men, and later women, primarily in the art and architecture of antiquity and the Renaissance era. Travellers would purchase antique sculptures or copies from the antique during their travels or after their return to England. In large country houses these might be displayed within a dedicated sculpture gallery.
This bust is a 19th-century copy from the antique, showing Emperor Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD) as a young man. A similar bust, copied by American sculptor Edmonia Lewis (born 1845) is in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington. They are based on the numerous portraits of Augustus in the form of coins, gems, busts and statues, which were disseminated throughout the Roman Empire during his reign.
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Explore
- Places
- Subjects
- male portrait, boy, Emperor
- Materials & Techniques
- marble, bust (as object name), marble bust
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Details
- Artist
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19th century unknown
- Title
- The Emperor Augustus (63BC-14AD) as a Youth
- Date
- Medium
- Marble bust
- Dimensions
- height: 56.50 cm, width: 29.50 cm, depth: 23.00 cm
- Acquisition
- Presented by Miss I D Miller, November 1956
- Inscription
- none
- GAC number
- 3582