An elongated oval face with neatly combed curly hair and an air of imperturbable concentration - these are the most significant features of this exceptional portrait, formerly in the Albani collection and mounted on a modern herm. It is one of the large number of certain portraits of Hermarchus (340-post 270 BC), the philosopher from Mytilene, pupil and friend of Epicurus who became head of the Garden in Athens after his master's death.