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Stone head of a Julio-Claudian youth, possibly of Gaius Caesar

ca. 5 BCE, or later
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
The head, traditionally identified as a young Augustus, may now be compared with portraits of his elder grandson, Gaius Caesar (20 B.C.–A.D. 4). He is represented here as an adolescent of about 13 to 15 years of age, thus dating the work (if contemporary) to ca. 7–5 B.C. However, the identity and indeed the authenticity of the present head, like several others identified as Gaius Caesar, remain the subject of scholarly discussion and research. The condition of the stone also contributes to the difficulty in ascertaining whether the head is ancient or a high-quality European reproduction.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Stone head of a Julio-Claudian youth, possibly of Gaius Caesar
  • Period: Augustan
  • Date: ca. 5 BCE, or later
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: gypsum alabaster
  • Dimensions: H.: 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm)
    H. of base: 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of George P. Tetzel, 2011
  • Object Number: 2011.376
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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