Faustina Marci Anthonini des gütigen gemahel · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Faustina Marci Anthonini des gütigen gemahel
Period: 1500-1550;
Geographic: Ancient Rome; Italy
Description: This engraving depicts Faustina Augusta, the wife of Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, on the left side of the image lying in a bed. There is a doctor hovering over her body while rubbing an ointment over her chest to cure her illness. Her husband Marcus Aurelius is standing on the other side of the bed. Faustina Augusta had fallen ill due to being passionately in love with a gladiator. The doctor suggested killing the gladiator and using his blood to cure her of her sickness and overwhelming lust for him. Marcus Aurelius is depicted on the right side of the engraving wearing a crown and holding a scepter as he watches his men kill the gladiator that his wife was in love with. One of the men is holding a bowl underneath the gladiators wounds so they can use the blood to treat Faustina Augusta.
Image Creator: Joerg Breu (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:18412
Language: ger
Source Name: Ein schöne Cronica oder Hystoribuch von den fürnämlichsten Weybern [A beautiful chronicle or history book of reputable women]
Parent Collection: 1543 Stayner; 1543 Stayner
Image: mta_18412_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Faustina Augusta; Important Women; Famous Women; Marcus Aurelius Antoninus; Gladiators; Adultery