Julie en Ceres at The Louvre, Paris

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From the 16th century on, French kings received ancient Italian diplomatic gifts. In 1604, Henri IV gathered most of the initial collection in the Louvre Antiques Hall. Colbert and Louvois sought to expand Louis XIV's royal collection by acquiring marbles from Italy. Difficulties arose, but the addition of antique pieces offered by French owners or obtained through diplomats in the eastern Mediterranean proved fortunate. The ancient royal residences were incorporated into Crown Property in 1792 for exhibition at the Louvre. This figure, part of the former royal collection since 1810, exemplifies a type called "of Chastity," commonly used by Romans for female funerary portraits. Ears of wheat evoke Ceres here, as this young woman's aspect suggests. Her features do not match those of Julie, daughter of Emperor Augustus, despite her identification in the 19th century. It is possible that she is a princess from the imperial household associated with the goddess of fertility.