Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201s

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Septimius Severus, a small coin held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. I find the wear on the coin's surface intriguing. What strikes you most about its visual qualities? Curator: I am drawn to the incised lines forming the portrait. Note how the artist uses varying depths to create a sense of volume and texture within such a confined space. Do you observe how the rigid inscription contrasts with the organic quality of the emperor’s hair? Editor: Yes, I see the contrast now! It’s fascinating how such subtle details create such a dynamic effect. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: Indeed. It is through this very interplay of form and texture that the object achieves its aesthetic presence.