Marcus Salvius Otho after 1674

Bartholomeus Eggers created this bust of Marcus Salvius Otho from lead, a striking material choice that imparts a sense of gravitas. The sculpture presents a formal composition, focusing on Otho’s head and shoulders. Notice how Eggers uses the textures of the hair and the intricate details of the armor to convey both power and vulnerability. The lion heads on the shoulders of the armor are particularly telling. They serve as a clear signifier of Otho’s might and leadership. The material, lead, traditionally associated with solemnity and permanence, contributes to the overall sense of the subject’s historical weight. Eggers masterfully uses the conventions of Roman portraiture to engage with themes of authority and remembrance. The sculpture invites ongoing interpretation as we reconsider the narratives of power.