Dome

Detail, original Roman head and torso; The colossal bust was discovered in 1525 near the Porta del Popolo (the ancient Porta Flaminia in the Aurelian Walls of Rome) and moved by Pope Clement VII [Giulio de’ Medici] to his villa, Villa Madama. Later given to Margaret, Duchess of Parma and Florence (the illegitimate daughter of Charles V), who in turn gave it to Charles' advisor Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle (1486-1550). He installed it in the Palais Granvelle in Besançon. It was given to Louis XIV in 1683, at which point it was mounted on a pedestal and the stone drapery was added to smooth the transition and give it a herm-like form. Source: Louvre Museum [website]; http://www.louvre.fr/ (accessed 7/25/2013)