Roman

Titus Flavius Domitianus (A.D. 51-96, reigned 81-96) was one of the most brutal rulers of the Empire. He inherited rule from his father Vespasian and brother Titus, both famous for military victories and hard work. Domitian rewarded administrators who were efficient and not corrupt, but he was insecure, suspicious, and vindictive to relatives and the Senate. A conspiracy that included his wife organized his murder, and his memory was officially damned—which included the destruction of his portraits. As a result, few intact portraits of Domitian survive.

To create this official image, the artist had to balance Domitian’s taste for refined art with his father’s message of old-fashioned  realism. The sneering expression of small eyes and thin lips was softened by the flame-like locks of hair (a wig—Domitian was bald) and polished skin.

Parian marble, about A.D. 90
Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, and from the Florence Scott Libbey Bequest in Memory of her Father, Maurice A. Scott, 1990.30