Vases Double Portrait Herm of Aristotle and Plato
Double Portrait Herm of Aristotle and Plato

Double Portrait Herm of Aristotle and Plato

late 2nd century A.D.
Two heads of wisened older males are joined back to back, ears just touching, on two connected necks siting atop a pitched herm. The two faces are distinct form one another. One head, that of Aristotle, bears his characteristic bald crown and a long nose that starts to narrow at the bridge and widens at the nostrils. His eyes are visibly aged. There is minor damage to the nose, brow, forehead and cheeks.

The other head, that of Plato, is considerably wider than its mate. It has a prominent borw, a short, strong nose and deep-set eyes. The face is asymmetrical with the right side wider than the left and the left eye higher than the other. The curls of his beard arelong and well defined. He suffers minor damage to his nose, brow and lower beard.

Free adaptation of Greek originals.
Date
late 2nd century A.D.
Culture
Roman
Dimensions
H: 38.00 cm
Medium
Marble, white with blue veins
Museum
J. Paul Getty Museum
Accession Number
74.AA.15
Image Source
getty_cc0
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)