Quickly Scanned Head of Augustus

Description

A quick scan of a Roman imperial period (first century CE) sculpture housed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The period was characterized by idealized features in sculpture. If you are the first emperor of Rome, after the bloodiest civil war in its history, it helps to have a flattering portrait. You will notice that Augustus is as wrinkless as a one of the Real House Wives of Beverly Hills. His facial proportions are also strinkingly symmetrical. This period would be followed by a period of increased realism toward the end of the first century.