Extremely realistic face -> Veristic portrait -Bulldog-like features; overhanging flesh and deep crevices in face -Approximately 1’2’’ high -Marble that was polychromed; painted in several colors -Verism; hyper-realism over exaggerated, used as a way of honoring powerful elders
--Busts are mostly of men; depicted as elderly -Realism of the portrayal shows the influence of Greek Hellenistic art; Late Etruscan art -Full of experience and wisdom-traits Roman patricians would have desired -Artist may have exaggerated features to enhance adherence to Republican virtues
-Portrait -Symbolizes the virtues of wisdom, determination, experience, valor and strength that all Roman Republicans hoped to attain.
Context
--Individuality started to increase in Rome around 200 B.C. which caused sculptures to start showing the power and wealth of a single person such as a prominent leader or statesman. -Patricians; worked in the senate, wealthy/educated men who ran the Roman Republic, busts of patricians embodied wisdom and experience from old age.