Double portrait of two brothers at The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg

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This remarkable monument serves as a burial stele adorned with relief half-length portraits that expertly capture the likenesses of two brothers. Typically, such images were placed within the burial vaults of noble families to honor their heritage. The striking similarity between these brothers suggests that they may be shown together on purpose, highlighting their strong familial bond. Both brothers possess rugged, broad faces with small eyes hidden beneath thick eyebrows and firm, closed lips that exude a sense of serenity. The sculptor's focus is evident in the meticulous attention to detail, concentrating solely on capturing the external likeness without conveying emotion. The elder brother appears unshaven, a sign among Romans indicating he was in mourning, while also being more severe and expressive than his counterpart. Crafted from high-quality limestone, the figures are carved in high relief, with the material itself contributing to the generalization of form and detailed rendering of facial features. The origins of Roman sculptural portraits can likely be traced back to the cult of ancestors and the early practice of placing images of the deceased within burial vaults as well as special cupboards or niches in an atrium. In noble families, one might find extensive portrait galleries serving as a reminder of their family's esteemed lineage and illustrious history. The tradition of creating accurate portrait likenesses was known as Verism, and it is beautifully exemplified in the Hermitage portrait of two brothers, a stunning monument from the late Republican or early Empire period. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, which seeks to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the world for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can assist. Scanned: Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)