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Lot Essay
The emperor Caracalla is described in the Historia Augusta as having had an evil mode of life. 'He was gluttonous in his use of food and addicted to wine, hated by his household and detested in every camp save that of the praetorian guard' (C. Scarre, Chronicle of the Roman Emperors, London, 1998, pp. 138-146). Yet also attributed to his name is the architectural splendour of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and many military victories including those against Germany in AD 213 and the Parthians in AD 216. Antique versions of his portrait can be seen in the Museo Nazionale, Naples and the British Museum, London.
The technique of setting a bronze head into a marble bust is not uncommon, a great many examples were made in Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries to cater for the taste in 'antique' style sculpture. This is particularly the case with the present lot, where the green patination has been added to simulate that of an antique bronze. Benedetto Boschetti was one particular artist working in Rome catering for the demand in such sculpture, which was destined mainly for the English market. A similar bust of Caracalla by Boschetti, with bronze head and marble torso, was sold in these rooms, 13 June 2002, lot 167 (£100,150).
The technique of setting a bronze head into a marble bust is not uncommon, a great many examples were made in Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries to cater for the taste in 'antique' style sculpture. This is particularly the case with the present lot, where the green patination has been added to simulate that of an antique bronze. Benedetto Boschetti was one particular artist working in Rome catering for the demand in such sculpture, which was destined mainly for the English market. A similar bust of Caracalla by Boschetti, with bronze head and marble torso, was sold in these rooms, 13 June 2002, lot 167 (£100,150).