Hubert Goltzius, “Emperor Didius Julianus”, 1559

Hubert Goltzius (1526–1583) possibly in collaboration with Joos Gietleughen (also known as Jocodus de Curia and Regnirer Curia) (active 1555–1559)

Portrait of Emperor Didius Julianus” (also known as “Imperator Caesar Marcus Didius Severus Julianus Augustus” or “Imp Caes M Did Se Ver Ivlian Avg” as lettered in the medallion border), 1559

Didius Julianus was the nineteenth Emperor of Rome, famously purchasing his Imperial title in an auction held by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinated his predecessor, Pertinax. His reign was one of the shortest in Roman history, lasting only sixty-six days in 193 AD. He was eventually executed by his successor, Septimius Severus.

Technical Details & Condition:

Chiaroscuro woodcut printed in ochre with etching printed in black on laid paper with letterpress French text above and below the image, and verso.

This impression is from the rare 1559 first French edition of “Les Images Presque de Tous les Empereurs” (Images of Almost All the Emperors), printed in Antwerp by Gilles Coppens van Diest (also known as Aegidius Coppens van Diest) (1496–1572).

This is a definitive 16th-century impression, verified by the binder’s signature mark “G 4” at the lower right. This mark is specific to the 1559 French gathering and the presence of Middle French text on the reverse distinguishes this original woodcut from the later 17th-century recut. See this publication and the print in its context: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b105511132/f83.item.

Note that Christoffel Jegher (1596–1652/3) later recut the same design as a plate to Hubert Goltzius' “Icones Imperatorum Romanorum”, printed and published in Antwerp in 1645 by Balthasar Moretus II (aka Balthasar Moerentorf II) (1615–1674); see the description of this recut print offered by the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1982-U-2939.

The impression is strong with characteristic 16th-century colour unevenness. Note a restored tear in the right margin and two small wormholes on the neck of the portrait. There are minor surface marks consistent with age. The sheet has been professionally laid on tissue-thin washi paper (Special Wild Goose Skin Cicada Wing Rice Paper) for archival support.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 27.4 x 22.2 cm
• Circular image borderline diameter: 18 cm

Lettering:

• Upper French text: “ET FVSSE-IE DE L'VN DES PIEDZ AV SEPVL= / CHRE, ENCORE VOVDROY-IE APRENDRE.” (Translation: And though I had one foot in the grave, I would still wish to learn.)
• Medallion inscription: “IMP · CAES · M · DID · SE VER · IVLIAN · AVG ·” (Imperator Caesar Marcus Didius Severus Julianus Augustus)
• Lower French text: “Il acheta fa mort auec l'Empire, lequel il ne gouuerna que sept moys.” (Translation: He bought his death with the Empire, which he only governed for seven months. Note: The 1559 text contains a common historical error; he actually reigned for 66 days.)
• Binder’s signature mark at lower right: “G 4”

Price & Shipping:

AU$298 (approximately US$212.26 / €181.67 / £157.65), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

I am selling this graphically arresting chiaroscuro woodcut created at the time when Michelangelo was working on his final marble sculpture, “The Rondanini Pieta” (1552–1564), please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.