Brutus and Seneca at The Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris

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The Double Herm of Brutus and Seneca is a remarkable ancient Roman statue dating back to the first half of the third century AD. This stunning herm showcases the Greek philosopher Socrates on one side, while the other side features the renowned Roman Stoic Seneca the Younger. Currently housed in the Antikensammlung Berlin at the Pergamonmuseum, this incredible piece of art is a testament to ancient craftsmanship. The statue's archaic style is characterized by its depiction of Brutus as two distinct figures - one youthful and the other older. Both figures possess deeply-set eyes with heavy lids, long hair bound in a fillet, with strands radiating from the crown and terminating in three rows of snail-curls above the forehead. Thick tendrils fall from behind the ears, along the neck, and forward over the shoulders. The older Brutus is distinguished by a full spade-shaped beard made up of wavy locks, while his mustache frames his lips pressed tightly together. A herma, commonly referred to as an herm in English, is a sculpture featuring a head, often accompanied by a torso, placed atop a plain, usually squared base. Sometimes, male genitals are carved at the appropriate height on this lower section. This iconic form originated in Ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The Renaissance saw a revival of this style through term figures and Atlantes. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, inviting anyone with interesting items to contribute by emailing stw@myminifactory.com.