How did Roman portrait sculptures relate to their subjects?

Roman portrait sculptures were known for their remarkable realism and detailed depiction of their subjects. Unlike the idealized forms of earlier Greek sculptures, Roman portraits often strove to capture the individual characteristics and even the imperfections of the person being sculpted. This approach is known as verism, which comes from the Latin word "verus," meaning "true."

The subjects of Roman portrait sculptures were typically emperors, statesmen, military leaders, and other prominent figures. The artists sought to create lifelike representations, paying close attention to age marks, wrinkles, scars, and other distinctive features that would make the sculpture easily recognizable to those who knew the individual.

One of the ways Roman sculptors achieved such a realistic representation was through the practice of creating death masks or life masks. These masks were cast from a mold taken from the subject's face, either after death or, in some cases, while the person was still alive. These masks served as references for sculptors to ensure accuracy in their work.

Roman portrait sculptures were not only meant to capture physical likeness but also to convey the character and status of the subjects. This could mean including symbols of authority, like a laurel wreath for a victorious general, or emphasizing particular features that were valued in Roman society, such as gravitas (seriousness) and virtus (manliness).

By combining a keen eye for detail and an understanding of their subjects' societal roles, Roman sculptors created portrait sculptures that have stood the test of time, enabling us to see the faces of people who lived many centuries ago as if they were standing before us today.