Captivating. Colossal marble bust of Hadrian from 1st-2nd Century A.D. Originally displayed in Athens's Agora, it is now the property of the National Archaeological Museum in the same city.
If I'm being honest, it is not everyday you find such a well-curated collection in Italy as that running at the Archaeological Museum of Hadrian's Villa until November 2nd.
Hadrian and Greece: Villa Adriana in Classicism and Hellenism, small though it may be, comprises caryatids, busts and statues in the Hellenistic style (thus testimony to Hadrian's appreciation for Hellenism), all hailing from various parts of Greece and realized during Hadrian's rule as Emperor, 117 to 138 A.D.
Originally displayed in the likes of Corinth and the Agora of Athens, among other places, these propaganda pieces are absolutely gorgeous, are very well-illuminated, and come complete with very thorough historic descriptions. A week later, I can't but continue to stare at all the photos I took away and ponder the history during Hadrian's lifetime.
Female busts in marble, 2nd Century A.D., normally on view in the Archaeological Museums of Corinth and Athens.
If ever you are in the Rome area, make every effort to get to Tivoli to see the Villa Adriana, which is a jewel in itself and only a half-hour away from the Eternal City.
At 5 Euro, prices are nice, while the first Sunday of the month is always free. (The current exhibit costs an extra 7-11 Euro, but if you go on November 2nd, you can see both without paying a cent!)
These Caryatids, the female shaped columns of ancient Greece, once completely surrounded Hadrian's Canopus, thus mixing the Hellenistic with the Egyptian! (The Canopo was a sort of luxury resort in ancient Egypt, so renowned in the Mediterranean world that Hadrian decided to copy it on his villa grounds.)
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