Oil on panel

This rare and refined series presents bust-length portraits of twelve Roman emperors, each set within an ornate painted frame and identified by name and imperial number in Latin. The sequence reflects the enduring appeal of the Uomini famosi tradition—portraying great men of classical antiquity—that originated in Italy and spread to the Low Countries during the Renaissance.

Inspired by the celebrated Twelve Roman Emperors series by Peter Paul Rubens and his workshop, the painter here creates a more intimate and emotionally nuanced portrayal. From the noble restraint of Trajan to the corpulence of Vitellius, each emperor is characterized with distinct physiognomic features, costume, and expression, balancing imperial authority with individualized personality.

Complete series of this quality and scale are exceptionally rare, with comparable works surfacing only once every few decades.

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