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| Marcus Aurelius | photo illustration, Mark D. Ruffner |
In my last posting, I unveiled my Pompeii Room portrait of Emperor Antoninus Pius. Hadrian had named Antoninus Pius his successor on the condition that he would adopt the young Marcus Aurelius and also Lucius Verus (who was the son of Lucius Ceionius Commodus — Hadrian's first-chosen successor), and make them co-heirs. This Antoninus Pius faithfully did. His faithfulness to such a demand was one of the reason's the Romans called him "Pius."
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| the young Marcus Aurelius | mutualart.com |
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.) displayed qualities from a very early age that made people think that he would be a fine choice to become emperor. He was born into an aristocratic family, yet at an early age embraced Stoicism, preferring to live so simply that he had to be persuaded to sleep in a bed rather than on the ground. He had a fine education, including lessons from Alexander of Cotiaeum, the leading Homeric scholar of the day, and Herodes Atticus and Fronto, the leading orators of the day.
After Antoninus Pius adopted him, Marcus Aurelius married the emperor's daughter, Faustina the Younger, who was — through his adoption — also his step-sister. Thereafter he was given high appointments at a very early age, though his quick ascent did nothing to change his good, studious character.
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| a bust of Lucius Verus from the Metropolitan | commonswikimedia.org |
Upon Antoninus Pius' death in 161 A.D., Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus became co-emperors. The Senate was prepared to declare only Marcus Aurelius as emperor, but Marcus Aurelius insisted that Hadrian's plan of succession be fulfilled. It might have been a formula for disaster, except that Lucius Verus was outranked and perfectly happy to play second fiddle. He left Rome on several military campaigns, lived a life of debauchery, and died in 169 A.D.
Thereafter, Marcus Aurelius ruled alone until his death in 180 A.D. He is probably best remembered for his personal musings,
Meditations, and for being the quintessential philosopher-king. Ironically, this scholarly emperor spent much of his reign away from Rome, fighting German tribes along the empire's borders.
Here's my portrait of Marcus Aurelius, in the style of Hadrian's and Antoninus Pius'. It hangs above the Muse of Painting, on the opposite wall.
I hope you'll join me next week when I add labels to these portraits, making use of a design by none other than Michelangelo.
See you then!
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These paintings are simply incredible, Mark. Have I told you how talented you are?! It is getting more and more intriguing and I know I am not the only one waiting for the final room unveiling.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Hello, Karena,
DeleteThank you for the compliment! It will be a while before the whole room is unveiled, but next week I'll be unveiling the primary wall, showing how these portraits fit into the rest of the design — stay tuned!
xoxo
Mark
Hello Mark, You must feel nobler already from having these paradigms of virtue gazing out at you. I am not so sure that I could live up to them.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, there seems to have been a shortage of barbers at that point in Roman history. Marcus Aurelius looks like he could use a trim, and Lucius Verus is three-fourths gone over to the feral. I can just see those Pan horns sprouting. A timely haircut might have saved him from his life of debauchery.
--Jim
Hello, Jim,
DeleteI have to admit that all these imperial histories are quite new to me, except for that of Marcus Aurelius. I've read several biographies of Marcus Aurelius and feel a great deal of sympathy for him.
He never wanted to be emperor, and reigned out of duty, in fact was dutiful in all that he did. When a plague hit Rome, he sold many imperial treasures to raise funds for the common good, and that was typical of him. He appears to have been a Type-A executive. He abhorred all that went on at the Coliseum, and because he was expected to attend, brought along all his paperwork.
I agree with you about the hair (and especially about Lucius Verus bordering on feral), but I do have have an explanation that could account for at least some of the big hair. As Roman art developed, realism in sculpture overshadowed the idealism of the Greeks, and sculptors started using drills to accentuate the dimension of hair. I have a theory that we might be looking (in part at least) at artists showing off their skill at creating curls.
I kind of knew that Marcus Aurelius was a good emperor and had heard of his 'Meditations' though I've never read them - but until your post, I hadn't realized what an inspiring man he appeared to be. That's probably why they haven't made a mini series about his life. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat work, as usual Mark. I'm loving what you're doing. But then, you kind of knew that.
Dear Yvette,
DeleteThanks for that last line; you know I'm having fun!
I think you would enjoy reading Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations." He wrote them as a journal of self-guidance, and though they were not meant for anyone else's eyes, they are beautifully profound. They are essentially his interpretation of Stoic philosophy.
Hello Mark! Such a beautiful portrait! It must be wonderful to be surrounded by these great men, and you must have such a sense of really deeply knowing them through the painting process... It's such fun to see the project develop!
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Erika
Hello, Erika,
DeleteIf the truth be known, my favorite art projects have always been portraits, and I have always had an almost telepathic empathy with, or knowingness of, another person when I did their portrait. When I was much younger, I would read a book about someone who was inspiring and then need to do their portrait. I suppose it was a way of continuing the communion that the book had provided.
Best wishes,
Mark
Dear Mark - Thank you for not only showing your wonderful art but also for giving so much information about the life and times of these Emperors. It is notable that so many of the Emperors adopted their successors, which is difficult notion for us to understand today, and that very few actually handed their legacy on to their biological sons. However, I think that was not the case with Marcus Aurelius who was succeeded by his biological son Commodus.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary,
DeleteYes, the first four of the good emperors adopted their successors, but if you look at a family tree, you will see that their relationships were more interwoven than a quick glance suggests. The successors often married into the emperor's family. I also find Hadrian's reach back to elevate the son of the man who was his first choice for succession particulalry interesting.
Commodus was of course a disaster, and one wonders how so wise a person as Marcus Aurelius could have not seen that. But Marcus Aurelius did in fact see to it that Commodus got an excellent education, and that he was well tested in battle. It may have been that Marcus Aurelius simply didn't have enough face time with Commodus to see for himself. Or perhaps otherwise wise teachers know better than to present emperors with bad report cards!
Dear Mark, Of all the Five Good Emperors, Marcus Aurelius is my favorite. By now you have become an expert in painting curls onto these handsome heads. I look forward to be surprised when you label your portraits calling on Michelangelo for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina,
DeleteMarcus Aurelius is my favorite, too. And I have to add, as you might imagine, that one does not bear the name Mark without occasionally being called Marcus Aurelius. So at a young age I had to see what this handle meant, and read up on him. Since then, I read whatever I can on Marcus Aurelius, and I have a lovely print of him hanging in my studio-office!
Not many are called Marcus Aurelius when young. There must have been something about you that was different. I'm not surprised.
DeleteHello Mark,
ReplyDeleteI've been away too long, but thrilled to be back and up to date with your masterpiece. Simply said, I'm blown away. Eagerly awaiting the next post.
Anyes
xx
Hello, Anyes,
DeleteI know the Dusty Victorian has been keeping you busy (and that it's not really dusty!), and it's good to have you back. Thanks for appreciating my home project, as I appreciate all of your's! I hope you're getting ready to dress the Countess for Christmas!