Antieke buste van Clodius Albinus 1681

Etienne Baudet made this print of an ancient bust of Clodius Albinus sometime around the late 17th or early 18th century. Clodius Albinus was a Roman politician who lived in the late second century. He is best known for being proclaimed emperor by his legions in Britain, and for subsequently challenging the authority of Emperor Septimius Severus. Prints like this one helped to spread knowledge of classical art and culture at a time when access to original sculptures was limited. Baudet's image reflects the enduring fascination with Roman history and the ways in which it could be used to legitimize power. Consider how the artist interpreted classical ideals through the lens of his own time, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of historical representation and the dialogue between past and present.