Bust of a Woman in the Getty Villa, July 2008

Bust of a Woman
Roman, from Alexandria, Egypt, 140-150 AD
Marble

Inventory # 79.AA.118

This bust of a Roman matron combines the highly stylized sculpting of an elaborate hairstyle with a convincing portrayal of an individual. The linear patterning of the braided hair contrasts with the realistic fleshiness of the sitter's cheeks and forehead. Her hairstyle is a version of the one worn by the empress Faustina (died 141 AD). Roman women traditionally followed the fashion of the ruling family.

Text from the Getty Villa museum label.