Portrait of a Child in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, October 2009

Portrait of a Child
Roman, Imperial period, about AD 200; base added in the 18th or 19th century
Marble (from Carrara, Italy)

# 1994.84

Although there are many Roman portraits of children, it is sometimes difficult to discern their gender. Long bangs and loose locks usually indicate a male, yet the cloak worn over a lighter tunic is a combination of clothing only associated with females. It is possible that girls as well as boys wore this style of bangs. The deep carving of the hair, done with a drill, is typical of this period.

Text from the MFA label.