When was the Augustus of Prima Porta statue discovered?
The team led by Giuseppe Gagliardi uncovered the marble statue on the 20th of April 1863 within the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta. Wilhelm Henzen publicized this find later that same year.
The team led by Giuseppe Gagliardi uncovered the marble statue on the 20th of April 1863 within the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta. Wilhelm Henzen publicized this find later that same year.
The statue now resides in the New Arm of the Vatican Museums where it remains one of the most famous sculptures globally. It became the best known portrait type for Augustus among three official variations.
The breastplate depicts a Parthian king returning legionary standards lost to Rome decades earlier after being captured by Crassus in 53 BC and Mark Antony in the 40s BC. A central figure shows either Tiberius or Mars Ultor receiving the standards from Phraates IV while below them sits a she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus.
Augustus is depicted barefoot which previously indicated divine status or heroism in classical art. This choice adds civilian aspects to an otherwise military portrait while Cupid rides a dolphin at his feet serving as structural support for the statue.
Vincenz Brinkmann used ultraviolet rays in the 1980s to find traces of color on ancient sculptures before surface cleaning confirmed original hues in 1999. Today Vatican Museums display painted copies theorizing these original hues despite ongoing scientific debate regarding pigmentation usage.