Eighteen works from the collection of Türkiye’s Burdur Museum are on display at the Glyptotek Museum in Copenhagen as part of an exhibition examining how fashion was linked to identity, social status and power in the Roman Empire.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the exhibition in a social media post, saying the works from the Burdur Museum collection are featured in "The Power of Fashion in the Roman Empire” exhibition at the Danish museum.

"We are bringing Anatolia’s cultural heritage together with art lovers around the world,” Ersoy said.

The exhibition examines how clothing, jewelry and hairstyles reflected identity, social status and power during the Roman period. The works from Türkiye are displayed alongside pieces selected from major museums around the world.

"We are happy to bring Anatolia’s rich history to international visitors through this exhibition, which will remain open until March 29, 2027,” Ersoy said, thanking those involved in organizing the exhibition.

The exhibition focuses on large-scale marble sculptures depicting members of the imperial family, Roman elites and people from different parts of the empire. Archaeological textiles, jewelry and footwear also offer visitors an insight into clothing culture during the period and how people presented themselves in society.

Anatolian heritage on display

The 18 works loaned by the Burdur Museum are displayed alongside pieces from the Glyptotek’s Roman-era collections as well as collections of the British Museum, the National Museum of Denmark and the Thorvaldsens Museum.

The combination allows Anatolia’s Roman-era cultural heritage to be examined alongside works from different regions, offering a broader scholarly perspective on the relationship between clothing, identity and social status.

The exhibition also connects ancient clothing practices with contemporary discussions about fashion, identity and visual representation, highlighting the historical roots of the relationship between fashion and power.

Publication planned

A comprehensive, peer-reviewed publication in Danish and English is being prepared as part of the exhibition under the editorship of curator Cecilie Brons and museum editor Anna Manly.

Featuring contributions from international scholars, the 12-chapter publication examines clothing and identity in Roman sculpture from different perspectives.

Educational programs, guided tours, lectures, interdisciplinary events and audio guides are also planned throughout the exhibition. The museum will also collaborate with fashion designers and publishing organizations.

The exhibition comes amid growing cultural cooperation between Türkiye and international institutions. The return of cultural artifacts illegally removed from Türkiye has helped pave the way for new cooperation based on trust between institutions.

Following the return of a sculpted

head of Septimius Severus, the process has developed into broader cooperation involving scholarly research, exhibitions, loans of artifacts and cultural exchange, demonstrating how restitution can contribute to lasting and reciprocal cultural partnerships.

What did Romans wear?

"The Power of Fashion in the Roman Empire,” which opened Oct. 1, examines the role of clothing and personal appearance in shaping and expressing social identity in the ancient world.

Through different groups of artifacts, the exhibition shows how clothing, jewelry, hairstyles and personal adornment were used as visual markers of status and power in the Roman world.

The exhibition at the Glyptotek Museum will be open to visitors through March 29, 2027.