Denarius of Julia Domna 211 - 217

Editor: This is a Denarius of Julia Domna, the wife of Septimius Severus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks so small, yet it carries such a strong sense of history. What stands out to you about its formal qualities? Curator: Note how the die engraver uses a high level of detail to create depth and texture on such a small surface. Consider the way the artist uses line and relief to define Julia Domna's features, contrasting with the smoother surfaces of the background. The formal structure reinforces its symbolic function. Editor: So, it’s the interplay of texture and form that carries the meaning? I see it now. Curator: Precisely. It showcases the power of artistic expression, even within the rigid conventions of ancient coin design.