Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Triumph of Marcus Aurelius 1560

Nicolas Beatrizet created this engraving, Triumph of Marcus Aurelius, sometime in the mid-16th century. The print is part of a series called Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae, which translates to “Mirror of Roman Magnificence.” The series reflects the humanist interest in classical antiquity that flourished during the Renaissance. Beatrizet, along with other artists, aimed to reconstruct and celebrate ancient Roman monuments through detailed engravings. However, we must acknowledge the political dimensions of such work: this was produced in a European society where power and prestige were often associated with the appropriation and idealization of past empires. Consider too how the concept of "magnificence" itself is fraught, often obscuring the labor and resources extracted from marginalized communities to build and maintain such displays of power. The splendor of Rome, captured in Beatrizet's print, invites us to reflect on whose stories are told.