111 - A ROMAN MARBLE PORTRAIT HEAD OF AESCHYLUS, THE FATHER OF GREEK TRAGEDY, 1ST–2ND CENTURY AD, DEACCESSIONED BY THE MUSÉE D’ART CLASSIQUE DE MOUGINS

A ROMAN MARBLE PORTRAIT HEAD OF AESCHYLUS, THE FATHER OF GREEK TRAGEDY, 1ST–2ND CENTURY AD, DEACCESSIONED BY THE MUSÉE D’ART CLASSIQUE DE MOUGINS Published: 1. Royal-Athena Gallery, Art of the Ancient World. Vol. XXII, no. 89, January 2011, p. 8, cat. no. 12. 2. Pollini, 'Roman Marble Sculpture', in M. Merrony (ed.), Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Mougins, 2011, p. 86, fig. 25. 3. Merrony (ed.), Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins: La collection Famille Levett, Mougins, 2012, p. 56 and 85. 4. Egypte Ancienne, no. 8, May-July 2013. 5. Wrathall, "Collectors & Collections," Christie's Magazine, January-February 2016, p. 52. 6. Squire, 'A Passionate Collector', in Minerva: The International Review of Ancient Art & Archaeology, vol. 29, no. 2, London, March - April 2018, p. 16. 7. Leung, "From 4th-Century Greek Vases to Female Abstract Expressionism" , Larry's List, 01/01/2022. Exhibited: Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins (Mougins Museum of Classical Art), June 2011–August 2023, inventory number MMoCA.568. Expert’s Note Aeschylus (c. 525-456 BC), the father of Greek tragedy, led a life almost as dramatic as the works he created. In 490 BC, he fought at Marathon, where the Athenians defeated the invading Persian army and where his brother Cynaegirus was killed in battle. Ten years later, Aeschylus experienced the Persian Wars again at Salamis. Remarkably, his epitaph commemorated his courage at Marathon rather than his fame as a poet. Aeschylus would fundamentally transform Western theatre. Traditionally credited with introducing the second actor, he made genuine dramatic dialogue and conflict possible. Of the many plays attributed to him, only seven survive complete, among them The Persians, Prometheus Bound, and the Oresteia trilogy—Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides. Nearly 2,500 years after his death, his tragedies remain alive on the world stage. The Persians and the Oresteia continue to be performed internationally, from the ancient theatres of Epidaurus and Syracuse to major modern stages in New York, London, Paris, and beyond. The simple soldier who survived the Persian Wars thus became the dramatist whose works helped define Western theatre—and are still played to this day. Provenance: An old private collection in Portugal. Collection W. L., Sint Niklaas, Belgium, acquired c. 2005. Royal-Athena Galleries, New York, acquired from the above. The private collection of Christian Levett, France, and from thereon permanently exhibited in the Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins, the Museum of Classical Art in Mougins, France. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Expected wear, obvious losses, and ancient chips, particularly to the right side of the head and the tip of the beard. Typical traces of weathering and fine natural fissures. Minor old repairs to the nose and eyebrows, discreet and barely noticeable. The white marble has developed a magnificent, naturally grown ivory-colored patina with a soft, lustrous surface. French Export License: Certificat d’exportation pour un bien culturel, no. 243476 DUPLICATА dated 23 October 2023, has been granted. A copy accompanies this lot. Weight: 29.6 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 33 cm (excl. stand), 48 cm (incl. stand) With an associated 19th-century red-toned marble stand. An old engraved brass plaque on the base incorrectly identifies him as ‘Homerus.’ (2) Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 7 December 2011, lot 180 Price: USD 146,500 or approx. EUR 190,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Roman marble portrait head of Aischylos, circa 1 st century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and similar subject, material, idealized features, hair, and physiognomy. Note the similar size (33.7 cm). Also note the significant damages to this example. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 2 July 2019, lot 247 Price: GBP 100,000 or approx. EUR 155,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Roman marble portrait head of Aristotle, circa 1 st century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and similar material, idealized features, hair, and physiognomy. Note the size (34.5 cm). Also note the significant damages to this example. Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.