Follis of Constantius Chlorus, Trier ? c. 294

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Constantius Chlorus. It's aged and quite damaged, but I find the low relief portrait of the emperor striking. What do you see in its composition? Curator: The symmetry between obverse and reverse is immediately evident. Consider how the circular format constrains and focuses our attention. The weathering, which you alluded to, serves to highlight the bas-relief technique. Editor: So the damage paradoxically emphasizes the artistry? Curator: Precisely. It brings out the texture and invites contemplation of the artist's initial intent versus the effects of time. The tactile quality persists, regardless of the level of preservation. Editor: I never would have thought of it that way. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure. Considering the interplay between form and decay can be quite illuminating.