Flemish School Artist, Portrait of the Roman Emperor Augustus, 1600s-1700s, Oil on Canvas

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Description

Flemish painter, 17th/18th century
portrait of augustus, first roman emperor

oil on canvas (61 x 49 cm - framed 77.5 … Read more Flemish painter, 17th/18th century
portrait of augustus, first roman emperor

oil on canvas (61 x 49 cm - framed 77.5 x 65 cm)

the portrait depicts augustus, founder and first emperor of the roman empire, as indicated by the radiate crown symbolizing his divinity. To his birth name, gaius octavius, the senate added the title "augustus," meaning "venerable" or "protected by the gods," a title subsequently adopted by all his successors.

the portrait depicts him with an idealized, youthful face, intended to convey an essence of eternal youth. The facial features, inspired by contemporary sculptures dedicated to him, such as the shape of his chin and nose, combine the realism of republican portraiture with the idealized forms of classical tradition.

founder of the roman empire, he ruled from 27 bc until his death in 14 ad and is considered one of the most influential figures in history, having transformed the roman republic into a principality.

the portrait proposed is based on a painting by the flemish painter cornelis van haarlem in 1622, now held in the collection of caputh castle, near potsdam, which served as the summer residence of the prince-electors of brandenburg from the late 16th to the late 17th century. The painting also became famous thanks to the circulation of the print by johann friedrich leonard (1633–1680), an example of which is now in the staatliche kunstsammlungen in dresden.

imm1. - cornelis van haarlem (1562-1638), portrait of emperor augustus, caputh castle collection
image 2. - engraving of emperor augustus, by johann friedrich leonard (1633-1680), staatliche kunstsammlungen dresden
this painting is part of a series of portraits dedicated to the roman emperors, originally commissioned by prince maurice of orange, stadtholder of the netherlands, and later acquired by the great elector in 1680. These works, specifically the first twelve roman caesars, were created between 1616 and 1625 by various dutch and flemish painters, including rubens, hendrick ter brugghen, michiel van mierevelt, and dirck van baburen (see image in the details of the room in the castle where the caesars collection is housed).

additional information:

the work is sold complete with a gilded wooden frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic . This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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