Imperator Caesaris Augusti Solemnis Ornatus; Regis Romanor Ornatus
Abraham de Bruyn Flemish
Publisher Joos de Bosscher Netherlandish
Not on view
Engraving, part of 'Omnium pene Europae, Asiae, Aphricae atque Americae Gentium Habitus' (Costumes of the various nations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America), a series of prints representing figures from various parts of the world, engraved by Abraham de Bruyn and published by Joos de Bosscher in 1580.
This engraving represents a Roman Emperor and a Roman King in ceremonial dress. They are seated on either side of the print, on three-quarter view toward the center, on large armchairs placed in front of layers of draped curtains, separated by a large shield containing a coat of arms with a double-headed eagle and two lions, flanked above by a ceremonial crown with jeweled brooches and semi-abstract motifs with scrolling leaves.
On the left, the Roman Emperor wears a long-sleeved, long robe with ruff under a long overcoat with long, wide sleeves, with a brocaded pattern with semi-abstract floral motifs and bordered with patterns of lozenges framed by two thin strips of pearls, decorated with quatrefoil brooches, and with a fringed edge on the bottom. It is fastened by a large quatrefoil jeweled brooch under the skin. His hands are gloved with jeweled gloves, the right one holding a scepted and the left one resting on a jeweled sphere flanked by a cross. He wears a large jeweled ceremonial crown on his head, similar to the one on top of the shield in the center.
On the right, the Roman Kind wears a long robe with a brocaded pattern of scrolling leaves, bordered with strips of pearls and embroidered (?) rosettes, under a long cape, also with a brocaded pattern of scrolling leaves, bordered with a stripe with quatrefoil brooches and pearls, framed by strips of pearls, and with fringed edge on the bottom. The cape is fastened by a large jeweled quatrefoil brooch. He wears a ruff and long-sleeved chemise. His left hand is gloved and holds a scepter; the right hand has a ring on the index finger and holds a handkerchief. He wears a jeweled ceremonial crown. His shoes are flat and with rounded toes.
