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Saturday, November 1, 2014

Pompeii No.34: Painting Emperor Hadrian

In my last posting, I dedicated a bust on my dining room's transom to Emperor Trajan. Trajan died without an heir, but is reputed to have named his cousin, Hadrian (76 A.D.-138 A.D.), on his deathbed.

Hadrian is always depicted with large and tightly permed curls around his forehead, and he was the first of the Roman emperors to sport a beard. He spent much time raising the standard and readiness of the army, and had a preference for wearing military uniforms.

Hadrian and Antinous   |   www.britishmuseum.org
Hadrian had from an early age immersed himself in Greek culture (hence his beard), so much so that as a young man he was nicknamed Graeculus, or "Greekling." Even the shortest biography would be incomplete were it not mentioned that he loved all things Greek, including a Greek youth named Antinous. When Antinous drowned (probably between the ages of 18 and 20), the emperor literally idolized him, erecting temples in Antinous' name. Throughout his reign, Hadrian continued to pay much attention to the welfare of Athens, which he promoted as a cultural center of the Roman Empire.

The Pantheon   |   commons.wikipedia.org   |   trekearth.com
Because Hadrian reigned during a stable period, he had the luxury of patronizing the arts and of beautifying the city of Rome. The computer-generated, marbled sets of Rome that we see in movies like Gladiator are probably approximations of Hadrian's projects, which were both new monuments and renovated ones. He is especially remembered for the construction of the Pantheon, which was, and remains, an architectural and engineering marvel. Its dome is even larger than the Vatican's.

Hadrian's Wall   |   photograph by Oliver Benn/Getty Images
Despite his affinity for military maneuvers, Hadrian averted war through diplomacy, and abandoned inroads Trajan had made into Mesopotamia and Armenia when he concluded them to be militarily indefensible. To ensure peace, he also strengthened Rome's borders, most notably erecting Hadrian's Wall across Rome's northern border of Britannia.

Hadrian was considered wise and just; he revised the legal code, and though he did not abolish slavery, he diminished it and its excesses.

My design for the portraits of the remaining three emperors somewhat resembles a plaque by Josiah Wedgwood, or perhaps a roundel by Andrea della Robbia.

I chose a golden frame to complement the golden garland that hangs above. I think it's quite appropriate that this image of Hadrian is positioned above the Muse of Architecture. (I'll show the whole wall a little later.)

I hope you'll join me next week when I reveal a portrait
of the fourth of the Five Good Emperors.
.

18 comments:

  1. Dear Mark, Your della Robbia roundel, in blue and white, is the perfect choice and gives your overall design scheme just the right umph to the whole.
    You must have known what you wanted to add when you asked about the religious roundel seen in one of my photos of Bibbona Italy.

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    1. Dear Gina,

      I have always admired the work of Andrea della Robbia, so rich and distinctive. I have been wondering the past few days whether Josiah Wedgwood's blue and white pottery was inspired in part by della Robbia. Or did it all start with the Portland Vase?

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  2. Dear Mark - It was Emperor Hadrian of course who had such a great influence on our country - his great wall running across the Northumbrian landscape being one of the many lasting monuments.
    I like the way you have framed him in a della Robbia roundel and given him a touch of Wedgwood blue. Wedgwood was greatly influenced by Italy and named his factory Etruria Works after the Etruria district of Italy where black porcelain dating back Etruscan times was excavated. He did make a replica of the Portland Vase which is now in the V & A.

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    1. Dear Rosemary,

      As I recall you have a personal link to Josiah Wedgwood, a man whose vison and work has been an inspiration to me for a long time. I never finished it, but decades ago I conceived a painting entitled Wedgwood Canyon — the Grand Canyon filled with shards of Wedgwood — quite a sight indeed!

      I have studied photographs of the Portland Vase and would love to view it in person. One day I'll get to England, and if I see only the V&A and the Soane Museum I will be a happy man.

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    2. Please do come one day Mark - but you must also include the British Museum, that is where the original glass Portland Vase is housed. I must dash now as I have suitcases to pack.

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    3. Yes, the British Museum is on the list!

      Bon Voyage!

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  3. Mark another wonderful depiction as well as biography of a Roman Emperor who ruled with diplomacy and added so much to the arts. That his monuments stand today and are seen by millions of people still, are quite a testament to him. Your portrait of Hadrian is perfection.

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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    1. Hi, Karen,

      Thanks for appreciating the portrait! My understanding of Hadrian is that he sheathed many of Rome's buildings in marble, but that over the centuries the marble was appropriated by other people for other projects. To see the Rome of Hadrian's day would be worth a trip in a time machine (but maybe for not too long a stay)!

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  4. Hello Mark, A very distinguished portrait of Hadrian--the cameo-like figure, the classic round frame, and the various surrounding elements. I like the way the blue color really pops from the wall, just a touch brighter (or so it seems from the photos) than the general level of the room.

    I saw the Portland Vase in London, and it was quite a memorable sight--at that time I was not aware that the vase had been smashed by a vandal in the 19th century. You obviously have to add the British Museum to your must-see places.

    By the way, I like your Button-of-the-Month. The very natural pond scene in the center is both amusing and refreshing after all those round layers of molding!
    --Jim

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    1. Hello, Jim,

      I'll be showing the entire wall a little later in the month (when it will be nearing completion), but I can tell you that the blue that I've used is the very same as the blue in the hallway panels (No. 8 of this series) and the ribbon that holds the olive branch (No. 27). The whole wall is so colorful that I try to complement and balance elements where I can.

      I did not realize that the Portland Vase had been smashed in the 19th century!! I had always assumed that it had been excavated in pieces. What a shame.

      Thank you for commenting on my button of the month; I thought it looked autumnal. I like those ducks because they remind me of the birds that used to be part of the Cadillac emblem. I understand the auto company's need to update and streamline their look, but I miss those little critters!

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  5. I still read in amazement at all your endeavours which are stunning, and more importantly, a labour of love.

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    1. Thank you, Columnist, for that nice validation. The project has been a joyful one for me because it encompasses my loves of art, art history, Classical history and perhaps even interior design.

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  6. Hello Mark! Another delight of a post. For some reason, Hadrian has always interested me immensely. We did a hiking tour of the Scottish Highlands last year. It was our second choice; the Hadrian's Wall tour was fully booked. Maybe next year!

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    1. Hello, Barbara,

      I'm ashamed to admit that it wasn't until I researched for this posting that I realized the extent of Hadrian's Wall, and what a tremendous undertaking it was. And the thought occured to me as I loaded that great photograph of it — I wonder whether Hadrian's Wall can be seen from space, as The Great Wall of China can?

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  7. Well done, Mark. I love that little touch of red at the top of the wall - did I miss that post? Is that a branch of coral? Love the round shape and the colors of the Hadrian plaque - they fit the design perfectly.

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  8. Hello, Yvette,

    Yes, you have correctly identified the red as coral, and you can read about that missed post here:

    http://allthingsruffnerian.blogspot.com/2014/08/pompeii-no25-adding-coral-for-good.html

    I thought that all the straight lines of what I think of as the room's template called for something round, and as you will see when I soon show the whole wall, those round portraits will be a balance to the clipeus, or the shield that hangs above the cityscape.

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  9. More history for me to take in! It is nice to see the rich blue added to the design. I enjoyed reading the Wedgwood comments and you definitely see the Italian influences in his work. Thanks for taking us on your voyage!

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    1. Hi, Theresa,

      I didn't realize until rather recently that it was Wedgwood's well-positioned partner who completed the formula for Wedgwood's success. Wedgwood has an interesting biography; apparently he crossed class lines by virtue of his great taste . . .

      And I know you've seen your own share of della Robbia!

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