Circle of Simone Bianco (1480/90-after 1533), Venice, second half of the 16th century

One among the most famous Roman emperors, busts of Vitellius (15 AD - 69 AD) became increasingly common from the first third of the 16th century onwards. Although of modest origins, he made a name for himself at a young age, becoming consul at only 33 years old. Then proconsul of Africa, his gifts were noticed by Galba, who entrusted him with the command of the roman army in Lower Germania. Generous and cheerful by nature, he quickly won the affection of his troops. So much so that a coup d'état was plotted to overthrow Otho in his favour. Proclaimed emperor in 69 AD, by the majority of Roman forces abroad, he made his triumphal entry into Rome. The capital of the empire became the scene of endless feasts and games; Vitellius' soldiers enjoyed total freedom, as a reward for their loyalty. Vespasian, then general of the Roman legion in the eastern provinces, having heard of the excesses of the good-natured emperor's administration, overthrew Vitellius only a few months after his accession to power.

This bust is derived from the ancient marble documented from 1523 onwards, when it was transferred from Rome to Venice at the request of Cardinal Domenico Grimani (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia, inv. 20). The dating of the Vitellius Grimani, from the Roman imperial period or the early 16th century, as well as its traditional identification as the ephemeral emperor, has been the subject of debate. An early modern copy was attributed to the Venetian sculptor Simone Bianco (1512 - after 1553). This bronze, certainly made after 1523, is in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Venice (cf. V. Avery, Vulcan's Forge in Venus' City: The Story of Bronze in Venice 1350-1650, Oxford, p. 321, fig. 10.5-10.6).