Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

About this Work

Roman imperial portraiture served an important role in perpetuating imperial authority throughout the vast Roman Empire. Placed in the temples and marketplaces of all cities, as well as in private homes and estates, portraits of the emperor and his family were presented as images of benevolence and strength and were intended to inspire confidence. In keeping with this intention, the portraits combined aspects of their subjects’ actual features with idealized characteristics.

Emperor Septimius Severus wears the fringed military cloak of a general, which recalls the decisive manner in which he gained power during the upheaval that followed the assassination of the previous emperor, Commodus. The style of his hair and beard emulates Commodus's father, Marcus Aurelius (who was known as a good emperor), rather than Commodus himself. The corkscrew curls on his forehead may also suggest an association with the god Serapis, who, like Septimius, has roots in northern Africa.

It is rare that two portraits like this bust and its' companion, a bust of Empress Julia Domna, both survive. Similarly, it is unusual that remains of added color are preserved. Although the traces on these busts are microscopic and can no longer be seen by the naked eye, this evidence supports the widely accepted idea that almost all Greek and Roman sculpture was painted. Carefully applied layers of translucent color would have contributed to remarkable naturalism of these portraits.