Poppaea Sabina 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this print of Poppaea Sabina sometime between 1620 and 1664. His image reflects the enduring fascination with powerful women of the Roman Empire. The inscription identifies her as the wife of Emperor Nero, who was previously married to Othon, who was obliged to repudiate her so that Nero could win her over with his charms. Poppaea's story is one of ambition and survival in a male-dominated world. Her ability to use her "charms" to gain power reflects the limited options available to women. Bella's print, made centuries after Poppaea's death, speaks to the ways women are represented throughout history, caught between admiration and moral judgment. This image invites us to consider the complexities of female agency and the historical forces that shape and confine it.