Livia Drusilla, Wife of Augustus 16th-17th century

Curator: This is Aegidius Sadeler II's portrait of Livia Drusilla, wife of Augustus. Editor: She looks powerful, but also trapped, almost like a gilded cage. Curator: It's interesting you say that. Consider the role of women in Roman political imagery—often idealized, their influence was frequently downplayed or channeled through their male relatives. Editor: Exactly! Her gaze is averted, as if acknowledging constraints on her agency even with all that implied authority. The opulence becomes a burden, highlighting how women's power was often performative, existing only insofar as it served the patriarchal structure. Curator: Sadeler, working centuries later, likely drew upon established visual tropes for portraying Roman nobility. The print serves as a historical artifact, reflecting enduring power dynamics. Editor: And those dynamics continue to resonate, reminding us to examine not only who is represented, but how, and why. Curator: A poignant reminder to consider the narratives embedded within even the most seemingly straightforward portrait. Editor: It's a call to look beyond the surface and question what is left unsaid.