Caption

Head of Sappho Head of a Woman of the Kora Albani type, unknown Roman workshop; Sappho ca. 610–580 BCE, female portrait, Roman sculpture. Fragment of an ancient dowry or bust mounted on a modern bust. Numerous modern additions to details e.g., tip of the nose. The ancient part very good workmanship was originally part of a statue or bust herm?. Head slightly turned to the right, oval, idealised face. Hair covered with a headnet kekryphalos. The sculpture's original is identified as contemporary to Phidias, with dating supported by analogy to one of the Parthenon friezes. Type belongs to the Sappho/Kora Albani group, noted for near-intact preservation. Front is very well-crafted; back simplified and somewhat underdeveloped. Copy has several minor details altered compared to the original. Early 1st century, Roman Empire 27 BC–476, sculpture, weight 30.5 kg., A marble sculpture of a head displayed against a gray background, showing a smooth pale surface with subtle discoloration and weathering; the figure wears a rounded cap with carved folds and textured wavy hair at the temples, with stylized closed eyes, a straight nose, full lips, and softly modeled cheeks and chin, all resting on a polished pale stone pedestal; visible colors include shades of white, off-white, light gray, darker gray, and hints of beige.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A18_479

License type

Rights managed

Available size

64.9Mb (1.9Mb) / 14.5in x 17.4in / 4355 x 5206 (300dpi)

Keywords

Head Sappho Head Woman Kora Albani type unknown Roman workshop Sappho ca 610–580 Bce female portrait Roman sculpture Fragment ancient dowry bust mounted modern bust Numerous modern additions details e.g tip nose ancient part good workmanship was originally part statue bust herm Head slightly turned right oval idealised face Hair covered headnet kekryphalos sculpture's original identified contemporary Phidias dating supported analogy Parthenon friezes Type belongs Sappho Kora Albani group noted near-intact preservation Front well-crafted back simplified somewhat underdeveloped Copy several minor details altered compared original Early 1st century Roman Empire 27 BC–476 sculpture weight 30.5 kg marble sculpture head displayed gray background showing smooth pale surface subtle discoloration weathering figure wears rounded cap carved folds textured wavy hair temples stylized closed eyes straight nose full lips softly modeled cheeks chin resting polished pale stone pedestal visible colors include shades white off-white light gray darker gray hints beige.