Augustus Caesar

From the Augustus of Prima Porta statue, 1st century A.D.  Vine and compressed charcoal in my sketch book.  Augustus is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.  Born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, he was adopted posthumously by his great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar in 44 BC via his last will and testament, and between then and 27 BC was officially named Gaius Julius Caesar. In 27 BC the Senate awarded him the honorific Augustus ("the revered one"), and thus consequently he was Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus.

Winged Victory of Samothrace

Nike of Samothrace, discovered in 1863, is estimated to have been created around 190 BC.  It was created to not only honor the goddess, Nike, but to honor a sea battle. It conveys a sense of action and triumph as well as portraying artful flowing drapery through its features which the Greeks considered ideal beauty.

9x12 chalk and charcoal on toned illustration board.

Circa 1929

This is a chalk and charcoal sketch I did based on a vintage photograph from 1929.