Una testa giovanile dal Foro di Traiano: copia, rielaborazione o originale d'epoca imperiale?
In: Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma: 112, 2012
Permalink: http://digital.casalini.it/4143753
This colossal head, discovered in the Forum of Trajan during archeological excavations in 1931,
is undoubtedly a work of excellent quality.
It has to be considered an original sculpture of the imperial period, inspired by classical models,
instead of a copy or a re-elaboration of Greek prototypes.
The best comparisons are in fact with the head of Hermes Richelieu and with the head of Eros
in a column from the rebuilt Artemision of Ephesus. The style of these models will be were appreciated in Roman times, as we can see in the basalt ephebe from the Palatine hill, or in the so called
Hypnos from Hadrian’s Villa.
The head from the Forum of Trajan was probably part of an architectural context: it should represent an ideal image of Victoria, or a personification of a provincia or nation. Because of the style and
the technical execution, the monumental head can be dated in the second quarter of 2nd
century AD.