Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: A Vestal Virgin (?) 1530 - 1580

This anonymous etching, likely created sometime between 1530 and 1580, depicts a Roman Vestal Virgin standing in profile, her figure rendered with a high degree of realism. The drawing, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is likely a study for a larger work, showcasing the artist's keen eye for detail and the ability to capture the draped fabric and anatomical form of the figure. The term "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae" suggests that the print was part of a larger series exploring the magnificence of Roman civilization through the depiction of its individuals and objects.