# Portrait Head of a Woman

- By: Ancient Roman
- Date: 117-30
- Medium: Marble
- Classification: Sculpture
- Dimensions: 34.3 × 26.7 × 26 cm (13 1/2 × 10 1/2 × 10 1/4 in.)
- Culture: Italy
- Credit line: Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/15606)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/83187f51-4e76-e104-8b2b-f8b7a40531fc/full/!1689,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

This woman’s name is unknown, but her portrait indicates that she was likely a member of the imperial family. She wears a tall ornamental headband, typically reserved for goddesses and imperial women. Her elaborate hairstyle, with distinct locks woven around the headband, would have required the services of a skilled hairdresser. Moreover, the use of costly marble reflects her family’s wealth, while her commemoration with a finely carved portrait indicates that she was of elevated social standing.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0