Portrait of Flavia Domitilla the Younger on Modern Bust, Called Messalina

Portrait of Flavia Domitilla the Younger on Modern Bust, Called Messalina

Portrait of Flavia Domitilla the Younger on Modern Bust, Called Messalina

Portrait of Flavia Domitilla the Younger on Modern Bust, Called Messalina

The elegant female portrait is characterized by a particular hairstyle composed of a series of flat ringlets divided by a central parting, with the remaining locks of hair gathered into a folded ponytail. The features of the young woman are strongly characterized: the large eyes with deep eye sockets are framed by angular eyebrows and a low forehead. The nose is prominent and the chin is strong. The same features correspond to those found on some coins bearing the inscription Diva Domitilla Augusta, coined during the Flavian dynasty. The identification however remains uncertain, it is not known if the portrait displays Flavia Domitilla the Younger, wife of Emperor Vespasian or the daughter, Flavia Domitilla the Elder. The modern bust was added in occasion of its display in the Torlonia Museum.

Inventory: MT 527

Material: White marble

Technique: Work sculpted through the use of: chisels (also square-tipped and toothed) rasps

Dating: Imperial age

Origin: Giustiniani Collection