De onkuise Heliogabalus 1730 - 1770

Balthasar Sigmund Setletzky created this print titled, *De onkuise Heliogabalus*, sometime before his death in 1771. It depicts the Roman Emperor Elagabalus, a figure whose reign was marked by controversy due to his flouting of religious traditions and alleged scandalous behavior. Setletzky’s print invites us to consider how historical figures are shaped by the cultural biases of their time, especially concerning gender and sexuality. Elagabalus was later assassinated, and accounts of his life have likely been exaggerated by those who sought to condemn his rule. Looking at the print, what do you notice about the way Elagabalus is portrayed? He is seated androgynously, adorned with finery, challenging conventional expectations of masculinity and power. This engraving thus offers a glimpse into the complex interplay between power, identity, and representation in the 18th century.