102 - Roman capital from the 2nd century A.D.

Roman capital from the 2nd century A.D. Carved and drilled marble. Provenance: Private collection, Antequera (Málaga) Measurements: 23 x 27 x 27 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. This Roman capital, with a truncated conical profile, combines military and plant motifs in relief. On its front, an oval-shaped legionary shield (scutum) stands out, featuring a dotted outline and arranged diagonally. It is surrounded by two wreaths of acanthus leaves carved in a clearly stylized manner, where classical naturalism gives way to flatter, more geometric forms. The incisions and trepan work create intense chiaroscuro effects that diminish the piece’s three-dimensionality. At the top, the rim features an openwork border topped by a small central rosette. This visual language anticipates the aesthetics of late Roman and early Christian art, while also establishing the stylistic bridge that would later influence the evolution of Islamic capitals in North Africa.