This section of the RNG shows selected portrait sculptures,
mostly marble busts of roman emperors. The image of the emperor was highly
standardized and distributed throughout the empire to public places, homes,
and of course coins. It is interesting to compare the portraits as we find
them on coins with roman sculpture. The very realistic roman portrait derives
from the custom to keep one's ancestor's portraits at home, and use them
in religious ceremonies. The emperor's portraits built on this tradition.
Below pieces can be seen in major museums around the globe, even today
representing the finest portrait sculpture there ever was.