Portrait Head of a Man at The Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

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This exquisite head exemplifies the highest standards of craftsmanship from the imperial workshops during the late Hadrianic or early Antonine period. Emperor Hadrian pioneered a trend for portraying himself with a beard reminiscent of Greek philosophers. His affinity for all things Greek led to a resurgence in classical Greek style, applied to traditional Roman art forms like state reliefs and portraits of prominent Romans. This refined aesthetic continued under Hadrian's successor, Antoninus Pius, who shared his predecessor's passion for Greek culture. The masterful carving of this magnificent head, with its contemplative expression and subtle contrast between the light beard and curly hair, closely resembles portraits of Antoninus Pius, yet possesses a more pronounced character than the stoic emperor. This remarkable sculpture 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. Anyone can contribute to this open-source community effort by emailing stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can participate.