A Roman Marble Portrait Head of Caracalla, Roman Imperial Period, Severan Dynasty, Reign of Caracalla, 198 – 217 CE

This striking marble portrait head depicts the emperor Caracalla at nearly life-size scale. The sculptor has captured the ruler’s famously uncompromising demeanor with remarkable clarity. His hair is carved into tight, wavy locks, closely cropped in the military style he championed. His beard is detailed with deeply drilled curls, framing a strong, square jaw. The heavy, knitted brows and prominent vertical furrow between the eyebrows create an intense, forward-driving expression. The deep-set, almond-shaped eyes, articulated with softly defined irises and pupils, give the portrait a sense of focused vigilance. The lips are firmly pressed beneath a delicately incised mustache, reinforcing the austere character that became a hallmark of his official image.

Caracalla adopted the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius when he became emperor, which was part of the Severan dynasty’s strategy to connect itself with the esteemed Antonine rulers. The luxurious hair and flowing beards of his predecessors gave way to a stark, militarized presentation that emphasized discipline and severity. Ancient writers report that on his deathbed, Septimius Severus instructed his son to “enrich the soldiers and despise everyone else,” a sentiment that is reflected in Caracalla’s hardened and almost confrontational likeness.

A related example is published in I Borghese e l’Antico by Coliva, Marinozzi, Martinez, and Fabrega Dubert, p. 361, cat. 54.

Medium:  Marble

Dimensions:  Height: 9 inches (22.86 cm), Width: 5 inches (12.7 cm)

Condition:  Loss to the nose; a large fragment missing from the back of the head; break at the neck; scattered surface wear and minor lower-edge corrosion consistent with age. These do not distract from the overall impact, and the head remains well-preserved with strong detail throughout. Mounted on a museum-quality base.

Provenance:  Benjamin Starr (1904-1983), New York, then by descent, David Killen (1959–2023), David Killen Gallery New York, acquired from the above before 2020, thereafter private NY estate.