Vatican Museums

This small and precious bust, originally thought to represent the emperor Tiberius, originates from the collection of Cardinal Gaspare Carpegna (1625-1714). The antique head is in a good state of conservation and only the nose is missing; it had previously been restored using a bolt but was subsequently lost. It portrays the emperor Trajan (98-117 A.D.) at the time of his full maturity. His features, well conveyed, express the decisive and resolute character of the princeps who, through his victorious military campaigns, took the Roman empire to the height of its territorial expansion: the gaze is fixed and determined beneath well drawn brows; the mouth, with fine lips, is closed. The face is full and the jaw well defined. The hair, without volume, is worn brushed forward and falls rigidly onto his forehead in parallel locks, calligraphically carved, contrasting decisively with the smooth facial planes.