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Lot Essay
Sculpture during the Hadrianic and Antonine periods is characterized by an increased emphasis in drill work. Careful attention was given in particular to hair, where the running drill created deep pockets of shadow among full plastically-rendered curls, producing a rich textured mass that contrasted with smoothly polished skin.
The lack of elaborate locks on the crown of the head suggests that the sculpture was either crowned in a thick laurel wreath or that the curls were finished in a supplementary material. It is equally possible that it was placed within an architectural setting, where the top and back were not viewable.
The present example likely depicts Apollo Kitharoidos. For the style of the hair and a similar incline of the head compare two draped Roman versions, both in the Vatican Museums, nos. 484 and 487 in Bieber, Ancient Copies. For a related nude version see the example in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, no. 67a in Simon and Bauchhenss, "Apollon/Apollo" in LIMC.
The lack of elaborate locks on the crown of the head suggests that the sculpture was either crowned in a thick laurel wreath or that the curls were finished in a supplementary material. It is equally possible that it was placed within an architectural setting, where the top and back were not viewable.
The present example likely depicts Apollo Kitharoidos. For the style of the hair and a similar incline of the head compare two draped Roman versions, both in the Vatican Museums, nos. 484 and 487 in Bieber, Ancient Copies. For a related nude version see the example in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, no. 67a in Simon and Bauchhenss, "Apollon/Apollo" in LIMC.