Marble head, barbarian

Head of a Barbarian Wearing a Phrygian Cap
19th century

Marble
Height of the head: 30 cm
Height with base: 45 cm

This head represents a barbarian identifiable by his Phrygian cap, a conical headdress with a forward-curving tip, a typical symbol of the peoples of Asia Minor, such as the Phrygians, Thracians, or Parthians. The face, framed by curly hair and a dense beard, displays expressive features: a striking gaze, a broad nose, and a slightly open mouth, suggesting a fierce or contemplative character.

The Phrygian cap, often associated with Eastern populations in Greco-Roman art, was also used to distinguish prisoners or mercenaries of foreign origin. Here, it seems to evoke an idealized barbarian, consistent with the iconography of the late Hellenistic period.