Statuette of a sleeping child with a lamp

Along with the monumental statues of God-like Emperors, Roman sculpture also produced pieces focused on realism. Such a child standing on his own, dressed poorly and holding a lamp evokes an orphan. Indeed, abandonning a child – an act called exposure – in the street or on the side of the road was quite a common practice in ancient Greek and Roman times. These children could be adopted by families who could use them as a toy for their children, or, after mutilation, as a beggar for example.