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Lot Essay
The reason for the commission of the monumental antique group in around 161-180 AD is unknown, but the youthful look of Marcus Aurelius' (121-80 AD) face suggests it was intended to celebrate an early victory in his career, possibly the war against the Parthians in circa 161-166 AD.
While some life-size casts were taken from the original bronze, the most common reproductions of this model are in small-scale and date from between the 16th and 19th centuries. In comparison to examples in the Skulpturensammlung, Dresden, and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich, the present lot is notable for its marble base which reproduces the full Latin inscription of the original.
While some life-size casts were taken from the original bronze, the most common reproductions of this model are in small-scale and date from between the 16th and 19th centuries. In comparison to examples in the Skulpturensammlung, Dresden, and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich, the present lot is notable for its marble base which reproduces the full Latin inscription of the original.