Bust of Asklepios

Summary

The bust is made of white marble. The nose, many of the curls and the front of the wreath were reworked prior to restoration. A reddish patina in the hair and beard can be seen with the naked eye. In 2003 the bust was cleaned and the cast restorations adjusted.

Description of object

The head originally belonged to a statue of a type which is known in many versions. It is called Asklepios Giustini after a statue in the Museo Capitolini in Rome. Asklepios, the God of Healing, is represented as a mature, bearded man. The individual locks of the luxuriant, tousled hair are defined by drilled grooves.

The nose, many of the curls and the front of the wreath were reworked prior to restoration. The lowest part of the neck and the bust have been restored in marble. The face has been zealously cleaned, while there is a reddish patina in the hair and beard.

Choice of methods

Visual examination

• Macroscopic

Bibliography

F. Poulsen 1951, Catalogue of Ancient Sculpture in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen, cat. No. 94.

M. Moltesen 2005, Catalogue. Imperial Rome III. Statues. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, cat. No. 43.