DSFC Classics & Philosophy

ALT An incredibly elegant marble portrait bust of a Flavian woman. She has a square symmetrical face and high cheekbones atop an impossibly long swan-like neck. The bust reveals part of her shoulders, and her tunic and palla are worn low enough to expose a portion of her chest and right shoulder; the skin is very highly polished on her face. Her head is slightly canted and turned to her left. Her carved eyebrows meet in the middle of her nose, a mark of beauty at that time. What's most striking, however, is the towering hairstyle with its several rows of tight corkscrew curls.

ALT A view from the right side rear of the bust, revealing the construction of her hairstyle (it does not appear to be a wig). Most of the hair from the back half of her head has been turned into multiple braids which are gathered up into a large bun (Roman matrons grew out their hair their entire lives, in order to achieve the necessary volume for these hairstyles). The front half of her hair has been combed forward and crimped into several rows of curls, achieving the shield-like effect from the front.