Roman Collector Posted October 10, 2022 · Patron Share Posted October 10, 2022 (edited) I was recently in Los Angeles and took the opportunity to visit the Getty Villa in Malibu. This is a separate museum complex from the Getty Center in Los Angeles. The Getty Villa is devoted to artifacts from the ancient world. The collection includes 132 ancient coins, the majority of which are not on display. On display, however, was this aureus of Faustina the Elder featuring the DIVA FAVSTINA obverse inscription in use from AD 145-161. Its reverse type, according to the Getty web page, is the Ceres standing left, holding corn ears and long torch type with the CERES legend of AD 160-161, the last reverse type issued for the empress. I was particularly intrigued by a pair of statues on display -- a greater than life sized marble sculpture of Faustina the Elder, which likely depicted her as Ceres, and a half-meter sculpture of Nemesis with the facial features and hairstyle of Faustina the Elder. Both were sculpted by unknown artists and each dates to the reign of Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161. Regarding the statue of the empress, the museum's website notes, "The size of this statue indicates that it occupied a public space, perhaps a city square or a temple dedicated to the divine Faustina. Although they are now missing, Faustina may have held attributes of poppies and ears of wheat in her lowered left hand. That being the case, this statue would have portrayed the empress in the guise of Ceres, the goddess of [agricultural] fertility." About the statue of Nemesis, the museum's website explains, "The unknown Roman sculptor has given the goddess the facial features and hairstyle of Faustina I, the wife of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled from A.D. 138 to 161. Members of the imperial family and other wealthy high-status Romans often chose to have themselves depicted in the guise of gods or mythological figures. The depiction of Faustina as Nemesis emphasizes her role as protectress of the empire. This statuette was probably displayed in a shrine dedicated to the worship of the Roman emperor." Edited October 10, 2022 by Roman Collector 21 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted October 10, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Roman Collector said: I was recently in Los Angeles and took the opportunity to visit the Getty Villa in Malibu. This is a separate museum complex from the Getty Center in Los Angeles. The Getty Villa is devoted to artifacts from the ancient world. The collection includes 132 ancient coins, the majority of which are not on display. On display, however, was this aureus of Faustina the Elder featuring the DIVA FAVSTINA obverse inscription in use from AD 145-161. Its reverse type, according to the Getty web page, is the Ceres standing left, holding corn ears and long torch type with the CERES legend of AD 160-161, the last reverse type issued for the empress. I was particularly intrigued by a pair of statues on display -- a greater than life sized marble sculpture of Faustina the Elder, which likely depicted her as Ceres, and a half-meter sculpture of Nemesis with the facial features and hairstyle of Faustina the Elder. Both were sculpted by unknown artists and each dates to the reign of Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161. Regarding the statue of the empress, the museum's website notes, "The size of this statue indicates that it occupied a public space, perhaps a city square or a temple dedicated to the divine Faustina. Although they are now missing, Faustina may have held attributes of poppies and ears of wheat in her lowered left hand. That being the case, this statue would have portrayed the empress in the guise of Ceres, the goddess of [agricultural] fertility." About the statue of Nemesis, the museum's website explains, "The unknown Roman sculptor has given the goddess the facial features and hairstyle of Faustina I, the wife of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled from A.D. 138 to 161. Members of the imperial family and other wealthy high-status Romans often chose to have themselves depicted in the guise of gods or mythological figures. The depiction of Faustina as Nemesis emphasizes her role as protectress of the empire. This statuette was probably displayed in a shrine dedicated to the worship of the Roman emperor." Looks like a fine place to visit. The Nemsis statue is stunning. Any ref to whose head she is standing on? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted October 10, 2022 · Patron Author Share Posted October 10, 2022 Just now, expat said: Looks like a fine place to visit. The Nemsis statue is stunning. Any ref to whose head she is standing on? The curator of the Getty Villa writes, "Her right foot rests on the body of a conquered transgressor." Don't mess with Nemesis! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted October 10, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 10, 2022 Rad! This Nemesis on Vespasian could be a friend of mine anytime😘: 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy_collector Posted October 10, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 10, 2022 Thanks for the photo, @Roman Collector. So nice to see a greater-than-life sized figurine with a Faustina Senior hairstyle. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.