Print on handmade paper from Amalfi Measurement : 29 x 42 cm Material : work printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with fringed edges Frame : Handmade light brown beech wood
This work by Bernardino Campi, entitled "Portrait of the Emperor Octavian Augustus", is an example of Renaissance portraiture that reflects the revival of interest in classical antiquity typical of the period. The upright posture and firm grip of the spear evoke the Roman virtue of 'auctoritas'. The subject wears a purple toga, a detail that communicates not only social status, but also an almost divine aura, given that Augustus was venerated as a demigod after his death. The way he nonchalantly holds a globe is a subtle allusion to his dominion over the known world. The artist skillfully rendered the texture of the fabric and the complexity of the drapery, adding a sense of depth and volume to the painting. With a background that fades into a cloudy sky, Campi places his subject between men and gods, a union between heaven and earth that characterizes many of the great leaders of the past.
