The Colossus of Constantine (in Italian, Statua Colossale di Constantino I), was a many times life-size acrolithic sculpture, dating from the early 4th century CE, which depicted the Roman emperor Constantine the Great. It was commissioned by Constantine himself and it was placed in the west apse of the Basilica of Maxentius on the Via Sacra at the entry to the Roman forum. Several pieces of the marble portions of this acrolith survive and have been placed in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, part of the Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums), on the Capitoline Hill in Rome.
As an acrolithic statue, only the gigantic head, arms, and legs of the colossus were carved from marble, with the remainder of the body made of a brick core and wooden framework, probably covered in gilded bronze. The figure was sitting on a throne, and would have been about 12 meters (40 feet) tall.
This head is about 2.5 meters tall and is carved in the Constantinian style, with enormous abstract eyes, in a more realistic face. The eyes were perhaps meant to indicate transcendence, gazing towards a Christian eternity.
Constantine's colossus is basically a variation of the enthroned Jupiter Optimus Maximus, a style of sculpture the ancient Romans would have been familiar and comfortable with. The emperor Augustus had himself depicted in exactly the same way.
Dating the statue is difficult, with a date of 312-315 CE likely, given political considerations. There was a reworking of the features, including a new right hand - both hands survive - perhaps holding a Christian symbol, whereas previously it held a scepter. The statue was pillaged in Late Antiquity, probably for its gilded bronze sheathing. It was rediscovered in 1486, and Michelangelo himself had the pieces placed in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori.
A reconstruction of the colossus was created in 2024, although they didn't paint the marble portions of the statue, which would have been done in antiquity (I took photos of this reconstruction and will subsequently post them).
