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Bust of Augustus with Gemmed Crown

Musei Capitolini MC 495 is a Roman bust depicting Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire. Discovered in 1889, it is now displayed in the Capitoline Museums on the Capitoline Hill in Rome, Italy, in the Hall of the Emperors. The bust is accessioned as inv. MC0495. Augustus is shown at the height of his glory, with a calm expression, head slightly tilted to the right, and closed lips. The crown has been interpreted as a civic crown, though later analysis suggests myrtle, laurel, or another triumphal wreath associated with his victory at the Battle of Actium. The sculpture is similar to the Augustus of Prima Porta and belongs to a third chronological type identified by Dietrich Boschung.

White marble bust of Augustus wearing a gemmed crown.
Bust of Augustus with a gemmed crown, shown in white marble with a calm, idealized expression.
January 2019 © · Public domain
Bust of Augustus wearing a gemmed crown on a pedestal.
Bust of Augustus with a gemmed crown, shown on a simple pedestal against a plain background.
December 2010 © · CC BY 2.0
Bust of Augustus with a gemmed crown on a pink background.
Bust of Augustus with a gemmed crown, shown as a white marble sculpture against a pink backdrop.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Bust of Augustus wearing a gemmed crown, displayed on a blue stand against a stone wall.
Bust of Augustus with a gemmed crown, shown on display in front of a stone wall.
© · Attribution
Bust of Augustus wearing a gemmed crown, shown in profile against a stone wall.
Bust of Augustus with a gemmed crown, displayed in profile against a rough stone backdrop.
© · Attribution

Identification

TitleBust of Augustus with Gemmed Crown
Alternative titlePortrait of Augustus; Musei Capitolini MC 495
TypeRoman bust
SubjectAugustus, first emperor of the Roman Empire
Accession numberinv. MC0495

Discovery and provenance

Discovery date1889
FindspotVia Merulana, near the church of Santi Marcellino e Pietro al Laterano, Rome, Italy
Find contextReused as fill in a medieval wall
Identification byCarlo Ludovico Visconti

Historical context

Chronological typeThird chronological type of representations of Augustus
Stylistic comparisonFeatures recall the Augustus of Prima Porta and a similar bust in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Creator

Scholar of classificationDietrich Boschung

Physical characteristics

Forehead detailA slight wrinkle crosses the middle of the forehead
Head positionSlightly inclined to the right
HairHair arranged in comma-shaped locks, brushed to one side
ExpressionCalm expression with closed lips

Materials

CrownWreath tied with lemnisci and decorated with three gems; material interpretation disputed, variously identified as civic crown, triumphal crown of oak leaves, or myrtle or laurel leaves

Iconography and meaning

Interpretation of crownPreviously considered a civic crown; more recent interpretations link it to a triumphal crown commemorating Augustus' triple triumph of 29 BC or his victory at the Battle of Actium
Triple triumphCelebrated victories in Illyria, at Actium, and in Egypt
DepictionAugustus shown wearing the crown as a symbol of imperial victory

Location and ownership

Current collectionMusei Capitolini
Current locationPalazzo Nuovo, facing Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, Italy
Displayed inSala degli Imperatori (Hall of the Emperors)
Display contextGallery of imperial portraits of Roman emperors and other prominent figures, arranged chronologically

History and restoration

Hall of the Emperors established1733 by Pope Clement XII
Exhibition historyThe sculpture has been exhibited on several occasions