Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek hosts major Roman fashion exhibition

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum in Copenhagen, Denmark, is hosting “The Power of Fashion in the Roman Empire,” the largest special exhibition of antiquities in the institution's history. The exhibition features 171 objects, combining the museum's sculpture collection with international loans and sensory experiences, such as recreations of ancient perfumes.

The showcase explores how clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles functioned as vital tools for communicating social hierarchy, political dominance, and identity in ancient Rome. Curated by Cecilie Brøns, the exhibit aims to provide insight into the people behind Roman portrait sculptures and the power structures of their society.

Key highlights include a 1st-century AD sculpture of Emperor Tiberius. While currently appearing as white marble, polychromatic analysis and digital reconstructions reveal the figure's tunic was originally painted a vibrant pink—a color that symbolized wealth and authority at the time. The exhibition also examines how materials like fine wool, silk, and rare pigments, alongside specific grooming rituals, were used to delineate class and status.