Galba 1608

Curator: This is Wolfgang Kilian's engraving of Galba, a Roman emperor, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking piece. Editor: It certainly is! The portrait has a sternness to it, almost a world-weariness etched into those finely detailed lines. Curator: Kilian was working within a well-established tradition of depicting Roman emperors, thinking about power and representation. How would Galba himself have viewed this image? Editor: Right, because Galba’s brief reign was marked by political instability; this idealized image contrasts sharply with the historical accounts of his unpopularity and violent death. Curator: The inscription below adds another layer, hinting at themes of lost hope and betrayal. Editor: The image and text certainly offer a complex commentary on power, legacy, and the inherent instability of leadership. Curator: It's a potent reminder of how carefully crafted visual narratives can be. Editor: Indeed, a fitting end to our encounter with Galba.