In contrast to the copy of the same bust on the recto of this page (see Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1987-53-21a), showing the Roman emperor in his familiar, energetic profile, this one is a frontal view where the features are less clearly defined--so much less, in fact, that a different bust altogether has been considered Cézanne's model. The two drawings were undoubtedly made on the same visit to the Louvre, and reveal the same interest in studying the play of light and shade over the rugged marble surface. Theodore Reff, from
Paul Cézanne: Two Sketchbooks (1989), p. 84.