Arts Agenda - About face

If you thought “set in stone” meant permanent, you’ll think again after you see From Caligula to Constantine: Tyranny and Transformation in Roman Portraiture at the Michael C. Carlos Museum. The show examines how sculpted portraits of emperors (and an occasional empress) were transformed after their death or fall from power. From Caligula to Constantine draws from U.S. and foreign collections to document the practice of reconfiguring both statues and coins. Some were carefully resculpted to represent new leaders. Others were violently defaced to express scorn for a ruler overthrown. Beautifully designed, the exhibition features rare marble busts, miniature bronze portraits, a few gems and cameos and close to 30 ancient coins.
From Caligula to Constantine: Tyranny and Transformation in Roman Portraiture continues through Jan. 7, 2001, at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, 571 Kilgo St. 404-727-4292.