Open full image Pin

Sculpture - Colossal Head of Domitian, now in the Courtyard of the Palazzo de' Conservatori on the Capitol

John Henry Parker

1867

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Sculpture - Colossal Head of Domitian, now in the Courtyard of the Palazzo de' Conservatori on the Capitol is a 1867 photographic by John Henry Parker, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: John Henry Parker
When & what style?: 1867 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This is a black-and-white photo of a big stone head on a pedestal. Behind it, a building with small windows and plants in boxes. The head looks serious, with short hair and a beard. The windows have bars, and the walls are plain. This photo was taken in the 1860s. The artist, John Henry Parker, focused on real details instead of fancy ideas. Look up Parker, John Henry to see more of his work.

The story of this work

Overview

A large stone head of a Roman emperor, incorrectly identified as Domitian in earlier records but later recognized as Constantine, is displayed in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori on Rome’s Capitoline Hill. Part of a photographic survey of classical and later monuments in Rome conducted between 1864 and 1879 under John Henry Parker, the image was produced by local photographers working under his direction. The series, published in Parker’s multi-volume Archaeology of Rome, documents over 3,300 works from antiquity to the 17th century. The photograph is now held by the Victoria and…

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

John Henry Parker

John Henry Parker liked to explore old churches in Rome. He'd photograph the sculptures and carvings he found. One thing that stands out is his attention to detail - he'd capture tiny parts of bigger pieces, like the…

See the richer artist page