Portrait of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius

Markus Trunk classifies the head of this bust typologically among the portraits of the third type of the emperor Marcus Aurelius [121-180 AD]. This type is characterised by arched and raised eyebrows and was probably executed on the occasion of his enthronement in 161 AD. The bust is modern, probably the work of Giuliano Menichini, the sculptor commissioned by the first Duke of Alcalá to restore his collection, although it corresponds to models typical of the Antonine period. There are additions to the nose, forehead and right eye, presumably the result of the restoration carried out by the Neapolitan sculptor mentioned above.