This marble bust depicts the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, and was created in the 1st Century BC, affirming its historical connection to Classical Greece. The sculpture is approximately 60 centimeters in height and weighs roughly 40 kilograms. Its durability is attributed to the crafting from high-quality marble.
The bust portrays Socrates in middle to late age, characterized by baldness and a heavily adorned beard. These features symbolize the Greek intellectual tradition. The use of Pavonazzo marble aids in the preservation of the artifact, as seen in its maintained solemn expression with furrowed brows, deep-set eyes, and a slightly downturned mouth.
The sculpting approach used demonstrates an intended portrayal of lifelike realism, a style not commonly adopted during the Hellenistic period. This relates to Pliny the Elder's accounts of a bronze statue by Lysippos, Socrates' contemporary. Despite the original statue's disappearance, this bust reflects its influence.
The artifact resided in the Horti of the Maecenases in Rome, Italy, until the 12th century. It showed signs of rework and restoration in the 1600s, evident in the quality variation between the front and back of the sculpture. Nevertheless, the bust retains its dignity, symbolizing Socrates' significant role in shaping modern intellectual thought.
