Head of Alexander the Great
Unknown Artist
300–200 BCE
Medium
marble
Dimensions
26.5 × 14.5 × 13.8 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Ralph King
Accession Number
1927.209
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Slightly smaller than life-size, this head of Alexander the Great features a slight turn, tilt, and upward gaze said to have characterized the young conqueror's posture in life. After his death, Alexander was worshiped as a god; posthumous portraits like this one, likely carved in Ptolemaic Egypt, portray him with long hair and youthful, idealized features.