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.

This portrait of Empress Julia Domna captures her self-assured manner. Reigning alongside her husband, she was honored with the titles of "Augusta" and "Mother of the Army Camps." Her garments are simple, but elegant, and her distinctive wig style set the fashion for the period.

It is rare that two portraits such as this one and its companion, the bust of Emperor Septimius Severus, 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.