18th Century Italian Antique / Roman "Grand Tour" Carved Marble Bust, Possibly Lucius Verus

A charming "Grand Tour" carved marble bust. Understood to date to the late 18th century and carved from marble in the form of the Roman Emperor Lucius Verus.

Lucius Verus (130–169 AD) was Roman emperor from 161 to 169, ruling jointly with his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius—the first co-emperorship in Roman history. Born Lucius Ceionius Commodus, he was adopted by Antoninus Pius at Hadrian’s request and later renamed Lucius Aurelius Verus.

Though less politically and philosophically inclined than Marcus, Verus played a key role in military affairs. His most notable achievement was leading the Roman campaign against Parthia (161–166), which resulted in a decisive victory and territorial gains. Despite criticisms of his indulgent lifestyle—marked by lavish feasts, gambling, and a famous affair with Panthea of Smyrna—he was an effective commander, credited with revitalizing the eastern legions and overseeing strategic logistics from Antioch.

Verus married Marcus Aurelius’s daughter Lucilla in 164, strengthening dynastic ties. He was later honored with titles such as Armeniacus and Parthicus Maximus. After returning to Rome, he continued his extravagant habits but fulfilled his duties competently.

In 168, while campaigning against Germanic tribes, Verus fell ill—likely from the Antonine Plague—and died in early 169. Marcus Aurelius mourned him deeply and had him deified as Divus Verus. Though overshadowed by his co-emperor, Lucius Verus remains a significant figure in the Antonine dynasty and Roman military history.

The sculpture oozes all the charm of the great collecting era of the Grand Tour.

What was the Grand Tour?

The Grand Tour was a cultural and educational journey popular from the 17th to early 19th centuries, undertaken by wealthy young European men—especially British aristocrats—upon reaching adulthood (21 years of age). Its purpose was to expose them to classical antiquity, Renaissance art, and continental society, serving as a rite of passage and a finishing touch to elite education.

Typically lasting months or even years, the tour focused on France and Italy, with Paris and Rome as key destinations. Travellers often studied languages, art, music, and manners, and collected books, artworks, and souvenirs. The journey was usually guided by a tutor or “bear-leader,” and included visits to cities like Florence, Venice, and Naples, with excursions to archaeological sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Though initially reserved for upper-class men, the tradition later expanded to include women and Americans. The Grand Tour declined with the rise of rail travel and mass tourism, but left a lasting legacy in art, literature, and cultural exchange. It symbolized refinement, worldliness, and social prestige, and helped shape European perceptions of classical heritage and national identity.

Provenance - From a private collection in Italy.

Condition - Good as per the images. Presented on a contemporary teel stand.

Size - Height including the stand 40 cm (16")