Bust of a Woman
about A.D. 130
J. Paul Getty was especially entranced by this portrait, long believed to represent Sabina (A.D. 83-137), wife of the emperor Hadrian. Distinctive features such as the protruding ears make this identification doubtful. Her hair is fastened in a loose bun typically worn by Greek goddesses. This gives the anonymous sitter the appearance of Classical statuary, a conceit enhanced by the diadem.
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)