Skip to product information
Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens

  • This marble bust by revered American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens captures Augustus in his youth
  • Caesar Augustus left a formidable legacy as a politician, a peacemaker and a conquerer
  • Saint-Gaudens' neoclassical works are among his most beloved sculptures
  • The bust was on loan to the Met for nearly four decades
  • Get complete item description here
$54,500
Item No. 31-7201

To speak to one of our experts, call 1-888-711-8084

Description
Augustus Saint-Gaudens
1848-1907 | American

Young Emperor Augustus

Marble

This extraordinary marble bust by revered American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens is crafted in the classical style of the Greco-Roman world, with the perfect proportions that make it engaging from every angle. The style lends itself well to the subject — Caesar Augustus, one of the most revered emperors of ancient Rome. Here, he is brilliantly captured as a young man with his distinctive. . .
Read More
Augustus Saint-Gaudens
1848-1907 | American

Young Emperor Augustus

Marble

This extraordinary marble bust by revered American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens is crafted in the classical style of the Greco-Roman world, with the perfect proportions that make it engaging from every angle. The style lends itself well to the subject — Caesar Augustus, one of the most revered emperors of ancient Rome. Here, he is brilliantly captured as a young man with his distinctive brow and calm countenance in a celebration of male beauty, wisdom and bravery.

Celebrated as the founder of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus left a formidable legacy as a politician, a peacemaker and conquerer. Rising to power following the infamous assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March, Augustus reigned for over a decade. Designed after the head of an ancient statue known as Augustus of Primaporta in the Vatican Museum, Saint-Gaudens’ bust offers a compelling portrait of this historic icon, capturing the young man who would later be recognized among the world's great thinkers and leaders.

Born in Dublin to an Irish mother and French father, Augustus Saint-Gaudens moved to New York City with his family as an infant. He trained under Louis Avet, a cameo-cutter, before enrolling in the École des Beaux-Arts at the young age of 19. Saint-Gaudens’ artistic talents flourished when he moved to Rome in 1870 to study art and architecture, and his neoclassical works inspired by the masterpieces of Greco-Roman antiquity are among his most beloved sculptures. He achieved great critical success in his lifetime, and his artworks reside in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery in London, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Tate in London.

An important work in Saint-Gaudens' oeuvre, Young Emperor Augustus is pictured on page 63 of John H. Dryfhout’s catalogue raisonne, The Work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1982), where the author points out that this is only one of two versions known. This bust was also on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for nearly four decades, underscoring its significance.

Circa 1872-1873

22“ high x 11“ wide x 8 1/2“ deep

Literature:
John H. Dryfhout, The Work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Hanover, New Hampshire, 1982, no. 33, p. 63, illustrated 

Exhibitions:
New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, 1985-86
New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1986-2023 (on loan)

Provenance:
Private Collection, Windsor, Vermont
Tatischeff Gallery, New York
Private Collection of the Wolf Family
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Private Collection, United States
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Read Less
Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Maker: Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
Period: 1816-1918
Origin: America
Type: Sculpture
Style: Neoclassicism
Depth: 8.5 in. (21.59 cm)
Width: 11.0 in. (27.94 cm)
Height: 22.0 in. (55.88 cm)
Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Beneath the Surface: How Stone Sculpture is Made

The act of transforming a rough piece of stone into a work of art predates civilization itself. Though sculptures can and have been crafted of wood, metal and various media, nothing achieves the...

Read More
Young Emperor Augustus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Enter the Third Dimension: Decorating with Sculpture

    When one thinks about adding to their art collection or decorating their home, naturally the thing that first comes to mind is a two-dimensional work of art for a wall or...

Read More
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

Our philosophy has always been to offer clients only the very finest antiques, works of art and jewelry, and to back every transaction with the highest level of customer service. Earning your trust and delivering only the very best pieces is our top priority.

-Bill Rau, Third-Generation Owner

Fine Art

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private. . .

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in the field, our specialisms range from Old Master pictures to Modern Art masterpieces. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Maritime & Sporting, British Neoclassical and American Illustration.

Our experienced fine art consultants offer personalized and confidential fine art consultation services to all clients. Whether you are looking to begin collecting art, grow an existing collection, or redefine your collecting strategy, M.S. Rau can support you on this journey.

Jewelry

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses. . .

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

Antiques

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the. . .

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

Whether you are just starting your collection, adding to an existing collection or even decorating your home, our team’s knowledge and experience can assist you in your endeavor. We have services and procedures in place to make your acquisition process both enjoyable and efficient.