The Cicero Bust: Iconic Roman Sculpture, History, Famous Examples & Modern Replicas
Cicero Bust: The True Story Behind the Most Famous Roman Orator Portrait
The bust of Cicero – with its sharp features, strong jaw, and intelligent gaze – is instantly recognisable as the face of Roman eloquence. For over 2,000 years it has symbolised rhetoric, law, and republican virtue.
The Surviving Roman Portraits
No contemporary portrait of Cicero survives, but Roman copies from the 1st century CE preserve the likeness based on earlier originals. These veristic portraits show Cicero in middle age – realistic, with deep lines of experience and a determined expression that reflects his role as Rome’s greatest orator.
Key Features of the Authentic Cicero Portrait
- Strong jaw and prominent cheekbones – the face of authority
- Deep-set eyes and furrowed brow – the thinker and speaker
- Short hair and clean-shaven (Republican style)
- Slight turn of the head – adding life and presence
The Most Important Surviving Copies
- Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden, Netherlands – marble portrait bust (our primary reference)
- Capitoline Museums, Rome – marble portrait head (under Italian cultural protection laws)
- Vatican Museums – Roman copy
- Louvre Museum, Paris – portrait head
Italian Cultural Heritage Laws and Reproduction Restrictions
Italy’s cultural heritage laws (Codice dei Beni Culturali e del Paesaggio, Legislative Decree No. 42/2004) are among the strictest in the world, classifying ancient Roman copies like the Capitoline Cicero as national patrimony. Direct casting or reproduction requires Ministry approval, with violations leading to heavy fines and litigation – Italy has successfully pursued international repatriation cases against major museums.
To avoid any risk, our Cicero bust is based on the outstanding marble portrait in the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, Netherlands.
Why This Portrait Became the Standard
Many modern illustrations exaggerate Cicero’s features. The surviving ancient portraits show a realistic, authoritative Roman – exactly what we chose for the Acclaimed Figures bust.
Cicero Bust Replicas
Original ancient marble copies are priceless museum pieces. The most accurate modern replicas are now produced in hand-casted unsaturated resin – offering excellent detail retention and durability.
At Acclaimed Figures we use hand-casted unsaturated resin for every bust, ensuring lifelike features and long-lasting quality. Our Cicero bust is inspired by the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden portrait in Leiden, Netherlands, available in Antique Bronze or Stone White, 25 cm tall, on an engraved charcoal base with “Marcus Tullius Cicero 106–43 BCE”.