Portrait of Emperor Claudius. 50-52 d.C

Name: Portrait of Emperor Claudius.

Name of the artist: Unknown

Material and techniques: Parian marble, the head was airbrushed with clay and repainted in the eighteenth century to hide the bumps and abrasions that he received at the time of its discovery. The portrait bust was placed on a modern, all on a marble plinth from Calatorao in the seventeenth century.

Where it was made and found:Was found in 1662 by a farmer from Huérmeda and bought by Miguel Martin de Villanueva, Count of San Clemente, being deposited in the Museum of Zaragoza in 1868 by the Aragonese Economic Society to Friends of the Country.

When it was made and found: Realized in 50-52 a.C. It was discovery in 1662.

Dimensions: 0.35 head; 0.76 body ( Below is a photograph )

Description: The statue shows a the realistic picture of Claudius , representing the emperor in its advanced stage (about 50-52 A.C)

Transcription of the inscriptions: OCT. AVG. CAES .IMP.
Bambola me clausit tenebris, Bibilis olim/ laetor ut ex comitis lumine luce fruar.
TRANSLATION: TO OCTAVIUS AUGUSTUS CAESAR EMPEOR.
Bambola the once very posperous Bilbilis,locked myself in the darkness to came out light thanks to Count.
The inscription was realized in the XVII century , when the head was found.

Historical context: This portrait, together with others of Augustus, Tiberius and Drusus Minor, statuary honor belongs to the cycle that arose in Bilbilis, in tribute to the dynasty julioclaudia, some of them were found in the Roman theatre of Bilbilis

Where it is to be seen now: At the Museum of Zaragoza.


  • Bibliography: Museum Guide Zaragoza
  • Photography: Google Images

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