Was Vitellius truly as monstrous as history paints him? Here before us stands a bust of a man shrouded in infamy. It is the Vitellius Bust. This artwork offers a glimpse into the complex story of a Roman Emperor.
This is not a bust of Vitellius himself. It is a “pseudo Vitellius”. The bust is located in the Louvre Museum. You can find it in the Department of Sculptures. Specifically, look for Salle 403 in the Denon Wing on Level 0. Another bust of Vitellius is in Salle 527 in the Richelieu Wing on Level 1.
The Vitellius Bust dates back to 1500 to 1550. It is a modern copy of an antique head from the Hadrianic era. The original may have been found in Rome. Cardinal Domenico Grimani bequeathed it to the Republic of Venice in 1523. Today that bust resides in Venice’s archaeological museum.
This marble bust is carefully crafted. It uses grey veined marble. The bust’s dimensions are striking. It stands 0.437 meters high. It measures 0.41 meters wide and 0.18 meters deep. With its accessory included it reaches a total height of 0.63 meters.
The Vitellius Bust has a rich history within the Louvre. It was included in the general inventory of sculptures. These sculptures were in the royal houses in 1692. It remained there through 1707 and 1722. During the revolution it was seized. It then became part of the Muséum central des arts in 1793. Later it appeared in the Napoleon inventory of 1810. It also featured in the inventory of the Royal Museums from 1814 to 1824. Initially part of the antiques department it moved to the sculpture department. This transition occurred between 1873 and 1887.
Interestingly this Vitellius Bust is linked to Alfonso Lombardi. Lombardi was a sculptor from Rome. He lived from 1497 to 1537. Before 1583 he created a similar imitation of the Vitellius of Venice. He made it for Cardinal Ippolito de Medici.
The Louvre acquired the Vitellius Bust in 1793. This acquisition was a result of the revolutionary seizure. Today the State owns the bust. The Musée du Louvre is its designated caretaker. Specifically the Department of Sculptures of the Middle Ages Renaissance and Modern Times.
Consider Vitellius himself. Aulus Vitellius was Roman Emperor for only eight months. His reign lasted from April 19 to December 20 in AD 69. He followed the emperors Galba and Otho. His short time as emperor was during the Year of the Four Emperors.
Vitellius was born on September 24 AD 15. His birthplace was Nuceria Alfaterna in Campania. His father was Lucius Vitellius. His mother was Sextilia.
Vitellius died on December 20 AD 69 in Rome. He was 54 years old.
He gained power through military might. The armies of Germania Inferior and Superior declared him emperor. This declaration was against Galba. Later Vespasian challenged his claim leading to his defeat and death.
So next time you are in the Louvre pay a visit to the Vitellius Bust. It is a reminder of power intrigue and the enduring legacy of Rome. It stands as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of history.