Portrait of Severus Alexander on a modern bust

Thanks to numismatic comparisons, it is possible to recognize the young Alexander Severus in this portrait-face. There are not many portraits of him preserved, for this reason the iconography of the ruler is often confused with that of other young emperors such as Philip II, son of Philip the Arab, whom Visconti had seen portrayed in this example. Among the most identifying and high formal quality replicas is the Torlonia portrait, mounted on a modern bust with lorica and cloak. The face of Alessandro Severo is characterized by large eyes that bring expressive force to the portrait and full and fleshy lips. The smoothness of the surfaces agrees well with the detailed rendering of beard and hair, well raised and worked with the use of the chisel.