Ancient Roman Statuary at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: CALIGOLA -- Fletcher Fund, 1925.

Speranza

Bronze portrait head of the emperor Gaio (Caligola)
Period: Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
Date: ca. A.D. 37–41
Culture: Roman
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: H. 6.8 cm
Classification: Bronzes
Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1925
Accession Number: 1925.78.35
This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 166

Gaius, more commonly known by his ancient nickname Caligula (or "Little Boots"), was the first emperor to be assassinated.

His uncle and successor, Claudius, had his statues and portraits removed from public view.

Many were reworked as portraits of Augustus or of Claudius.

It also seems that smaller, personal images of Caligula were deliberately thrown away after his murder.

Several have been recovered from the River Tiber in Rome.

References

Richter, G.  1927.
"Recent Accessions in the Classical Department." Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 22(1): pp. 20-21, fig. 9.

Dahmen, K. 2001.
Untersuchungen zu Form und Funktion kleinformatiger Porträts der römischen Kaiserzeit. Munster: Scriptorium, p. 159, no. 44, pl. 44.

Varner, Eric R. ed. 2000.
From Caligula To Constantine: Tyranny & Transformation in Roman Portraiture.
Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum, p. 102-3, no. 8.