Head of a Woman in the Princeton University Art Museum, August 2009

Head of a Woman
Roman, Gallienic, ca. AD 253-268
Grayish white marble, probably cleaned with acid

# 1981-34

The woman's hair is arranged in tight waves on either side of a central part and his little drilled curls dangling on the forehead. This hairstyle, along with the turn of the head, and the somewhat yearning gaze, suggest a date in the reign of the emperor Gallienus (AD 253-268). The twisted cord in the hair may indicate that the woman was a priestess, in which case the veil can be understood as a further sign of her piety.

Text from the Princeton University Art Museum label.