Sheep were a prized commodity during the
Roman era, not just for their meat and milk, but
also for their wool. Wool was not used by the
ancient Romans just for making textiles, clothes,
and carpets; however, they also extracted dirt
and oils similar to lanolin from the wool in order
to make cosmetic face creams. Sheep were
raised throughout the Roman Empire, from
modern England to Germany and Belgium. This
bronze sculpture is a masterpiece of naturalism.
The animal is instantly recognizable and treated
with a level of attention generally reserved for
imperial portraits. She stands on a small
rectangular base and has her head turned
towards her right, as if some unseen shepherd is
beckoning her. Her facial features have been
clearly indicated with delicately incised lines,
including her eyes, mouth, and nostrils. The
sculptor has also successfully rendered the thick
texture of the wooly coat, with individual tufts of
wool indicated by incised lines. This sculpture
captures both the physique and the personality
of this animal that played an essential role in the
lives of the Ancient Romans.
- (X.0201)
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