Head of the Roman philosopher Seneca, with curly hair and beard, turned to right; from a set of twelve plates showing antique busts after drawings by Rubens. 1638 Engraving, Museum number 1841,0809.50.


Portraits of ancient worthies like this were once valued more Because of who they Represented Their than artistic merit. This head was Identified as Seneca from 1598 until 1813. When another portrait now in Berlin was found, inscribed with Seneca's name but looking quite different.