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A Gold Emperor Is Coming to Getty Villa

"Gold Emperor from Aventicum," Musée romains d'Avenches, Switzerland
The Getty Villa has arranged a loan of the Gold Emperor from Aventicum, a portrait of Marcus Aurelius.  Hammered from 3-1/2 pounds of gold, the philosopher-king's likeness was discovered in ancient water pipes under Avenches, Switzerland, in 1939. The bust will go on view at the Villa May 31, 2023 to Jan. 29, 2024.

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Anonymous said…
One note- I believe it is May not March
February 3, 2023 at 8:19 AM
William Poundstone said…
Thanks for the correction, have just fixed!
February 3, 2023 at 8:21 AM
Ted Gallagher NYC said…
I would have loved to know the bust's dimensions. I went to the website for the Musée romains d'Avenches. Nada. Evidently there's no Swiss word for museology.
There's an old photo on-line that appears to show the work is roughly 12" high and 12" wide.
Very impressive.
February 3, 2023 at 9:36 AM
bronco mmxv said…
Height: 33.54 cm
Width: 29.54 cm
Weight: 1.589 kg

from: Bronze et or: Visages de Marc Aurèle (Geneva: Association Hellas et Roma, 1996), p. 122
February 7, 2023 at 11:58 AM
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