Colossal Head and Corinthian Capital
Artist: Unknown
Date: I century A.D.
Classification: Statue
Dimensions: 250 cm x 170 cm
Materials: Marble
Adopted By: The Northwest Chapter
Total Cost: € 200,000
Description
At the end of the XVIII century, the colossal marble head, already known since the XVI century, was recognized by Ennio Quirino Visconti as the gigantic face of Emperor Augustus. There have been many discussions about the identification of the ancient statue. Considering the size of the head, it must have been assembled from several separately worked portions and it must have reached ten meters. Colossal portraits of the first emperor, erected after his death in 14 A.D., are cited in literary sources, and imperial coinage. In particular, we remember the statue erected in 22 A.D. near the Theatre of Marcellus and the one located in the Forum of Augustus.
Surely, the head - found at the end of the XVI century on the Aventine, but perhaps was not kept there in Roman times - was purchased by Ciriaco Mattei.
Mounted on a modern bust and widely integrated, it adorned the Villa Celimontana, as testified by the catalog of the sculptural collection, Vetera Monumenta Matthaeiana, published between 1776 and 1779 by G.C. Amaduzzi and R. Venuti. The colossal head, without the XVI century bust, was purchased by Pius VII in 1802. It was placed in the Bramante Courtyard, along the outside wall of the Chiaramonti Gallery, only in 1824, after the completion of the Braccio Nuovo.
It is impossible to establish with certainty which monument of ancient Rome housed the gigantic sculpture. Only the head remained, a witness of the most colossal portrait of Augustus, that eternalized the Emperor in the hieratic pose of a god.
State of Preservation
The colossal head of Augustus Mattei is one of the most imposing works present in the Bramante Courtyard in addition to the bronze Pinecone. Due to its monumental size and its historical and archaeological importance, a preliminary study was deemed necessary. The Colossal Head of Augustus Mattei leans against one of the internal façades of the Courtyard (east side), adding an element of conservative interest related to the structural part of the monument.
Restoration Procedures
The previous multiple restorations must be identified and monitored to evaluate future procedures. In some cases, these past attempts considerably disfigure the aesthetic reading of the sculpture. The outdoor permanence severely exposed the statue’s marble surface. The biological patina present on the surface is also aesthetically disfiguring. With preliminary essays and some products of consolidation, a suitable restoration procedure will be adopted.
Detail
Adopted By:
The Northwest ChapterInventory N°: 5137, 5168
Artist: Unknown
Date: I century A.D.
Dimensions: 250 cm x 170 cm
Materials: Marble
Department:
Etruscan - Italic AntiquitiesLaboratories:
Stone MaterialsWishbook year: 2021
Total Cost
€ 200,000
Colossal Head and Corinthian Capital - Final Restoration Report
The lead cover was made during the 1987 intervention. Placed on the top of the Augustus, anchored in the masonry of the back wall and anchored at the head with iron elements, the cover had a rather bizarre rainwater collection and flow system: the water was supposed to flow into two pipes connected to the two sides of the lead cover and cushioned in the back wall, from which the end of it came out.
In this way, rainwater was supposed to flow out of the pipes without leaking onto the Augustus. The restorers realized that the system did not work: the cover had the wrong inclination, that is, outward and not toward the wall, and, in addition, the pipes were obstructed, as usually happens in similar situations.
It was, therefore, decided to remove it and implement a different protection system.
Colossal Head and Corinthian Capital Restoration Update
- Dry removal of inconsistent, consistent and partially adherent deposits
- Disinfection of surfaces from attack by bio-deteriogenic microorganism sand rinsing with water and soft brushes
Colossal Head and Corinthian Capital
Details
Adopted by: The Northwest Chapter
Inventory: 5137, 5168
Artist: Unknown
Date: I century A.D.
Classification: Statue
Materials: Marble
Dimensions: 250 cm x 170 cm
Department: Etruscan - Italic Antiquities
Laboratory: Stone Materials
Wishbook year: 2021
Description
At the end of the XVIII century, the colossal marble head, already known since the XVI century, was recognized by Ennio Quirino Visconti as the gigantic face of Emperor Augustus. There have been many discussions about the identification of the ancient statue. Considering the size of the head, it must have been assembled from several separately worked portions and it must have reached ten meters. Colossal portraits of the first emperor, erected after his death in 14 A.D., are cited in literary sources, and imperial coinage. In particular, we remember the statue erected in 22 A.D. near the Theatre of Marcellus and the one located in the Forum of Augustus.
Surely, the head - found at the end of the XVI century on the Aventine, but perhaps was not kept there in Roman times - was purchased by Ciriaco Mattei.
Mounted on a modern bust and widely integrated, it adorned the Villa Celimontana, as testified by the catalog of the sculptural collection, Vetera Monumenta Matthaeiana, published between 1776 and 1779 by G.C. Amaduzzi and R. Venuti. The colossal head, without the XVI century bust, was purchased by Pius VII in 1802. It was placed in the Bramante Courtyard, along the outside wall of the Chiaramonti Gallery, only in 1824, after the completion of the Braccio Nuovo.
It is impossible to establish with certainty which monument of ancient Rome housed the gigantic sculpture. Only the head remained, a witness of the most colossal portrait of Augustus, that eternalized the Emperor in the hieratic pose of a god.
State of Preservation
The colossal head of Augustus Mattei is one of the most imposing works present in the Bramante Courtyard in addition to the bronze Pinecone. Due to its monumental size and its historical and archaeological importance, a preliminary study was deemed necessary. The Colossal Head of Augustus Mattei leans against one of the internal façades of the Courtyard (east side), adding an element of conservative interest related to the structural part of the monument.
Restoration Procedures
The previous multiple restorations must be identified and monitored to evaluate future procedures. In some cases, these past attempts considerably disfigure the aesthetic reading of the sculpture. The outdoor permanence severely exposed the statue’s marble surface. The biological patina present on the surface is also aesthetically disfiguring. With preliminary essays and some products of consolidation, a suitable restoration procedure will be adopted.
Media
Colossal Head
Colossal Head - side
Corinthian Capital
Restorations Update: Colossal Head and Corinthian Capital - Final Restoration Report
The lead cover was made during the 1987 intervention. Placed on the top of the Augustus, anchored in the masonry of the back wall and anchored at the head with iron elements, the cover had a rather bizarre rainwater collection and flow system: the water was supposed to flow into two pipes connected to the two sides of the lead cover and cushioned in the back wall, from which the end of it came out.
In this way, rainwater was supposed to flow out of the pipes without leaking onto the Augustus. The restorers realized that the system did not work: the cover had the wrong inclination, that is, outward and not toward the wall, and, in addition, the pipes were obstructed, as usually happens in similar situations.
It was, therefore, decided to remove it and implement a different protection system.
Restorations Update: Colossal Head and Corinthian Capital Restoration Update
- Dry removal of inconsistent, consistent and partially adherent deposits
- Disinfection of surfaces from attack by bio-deteriogenic microorganism sand rinsing with water and soft brushes
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