Comment on Thorvaldsen's Small Silver Head - A Ruined Tondo Portrait
[The author’s note in the text] H. de Villefosse in MonPiot 5 (1897) Cat. No. 2; Pompeji. 19. April bis 15.Juli 1973, Villa Hügel, Essen, No. 137. On the type, see D.E. Strong, Greek and Roman Gold and Silverplate, London 1966, p. 151f. The Boscoreale phiale, which is probably of the late Augustan or Julian-Claudian period, is more carefully worked at the back of the head than Thorvaldsen’s silver head, which corresponds to conditions found in larger sculpture. In the early Imperial period round sculptural portraits are nearly always finished at the back; later this is omitted, if the portraits are designed for a niche.
Last updated 26.11.2015