... is himself holding two portrait busts, or 'imagos' of his ancestors. These were kept in the house and used at procession sand funerals. The naturalism of the contemporary dress and wrinkled, un-proportioned face, (derived from the Etruscan tradition, eg Brutus) stresses family similarities. The piece is not idealised, although there is gravitas and sense of honesty. This can also be seen in fresco paintings such as The Baker and his Wife. Female portraits tended to be a little less unforgiving, for example Bust of a Flavian Woman, but still exhibit a high degree of naturalism, such as her carefully carved and drilled contemporary hairstyle. The Roman portrait also became increasingly used to serve as propaganda for the Roman Emperors, starting with first Emperor Augustus (Octavio). The Prima Porta Augustus (c30 AD) is a synthesis of Polykleitos' canon, (eg The Spearbearer c420, much copied by the Romans) and a likeness of Augustus. ...

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