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Reduced scale copy of a circular relief, ‘Trajan departing for the chase’, on the Arch of Constantine, Rome
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Reduced scale copy of a circular relief, ‘Trajan departing for the chase’, on the Arch of Constantine, Rome
Plaster
Museum number: M893
On display: Dome Area
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
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Curatorial note
This plaster roundel is a small-scale model probably after a full-size cast from the Roman original. The original marble on the Arch of Constantine (dedicated in 315 AD) is one of a series of 8 marble roundels, each 2.4 metres in diameter, reused from an earlier monument of the Hadrianic period. It is one of a pair on the south side and depicts Antinous (Hadrian's favourite) on the left, the Emperor Hadrian (centre), an attendant and a friend of the court (amicus principis) departing for the hunt. Its pair shows them making a sacrifice to Silvanus, the Roman god of the woods.
In this plaster, the head of the Emperor, missing in the original Roman roundel, has been 'restored' by the plasterer who made this version which has also been given a frame, perhaps to Soane's own specification. Soane thought the subject was the Emperor Trajan (53-117 AD) but it is today identified as his successor, the Emperor Hadrian (76-138 AD).
In this plaster, the head of the Emperor, missing in the original Roman roundel, has been 'restored' by the plasterer who made this version which has also been given a frame, perhaps to Soane's own specification. Soane thought the subject was the Emperor Trajan (53-117 AD) but it is today identified as his successor, the Emperor Hadrian (76-138 AD).
Provenance
Soane records this item in his 1835 Description as 'another basso relievo in terra-cotta, brought from Italy by the late Mr Robert Adam'.
Literature
Sir J. Soane, Description, 1835, p.42
Associated items
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk