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Art, architecture, and history from Late Antique, Early Christian, and the Byzantine eras

Sep 22, 2020, 5 tweets

The “Emperor Triumphant” (Barberini Ivory) at the Louvre perhaps depicts Justinian or Anastasius

The upper register depicts Christ making a gesture of blessing. He is surrounded by symbols of the sun, the moon, and a star in a medallion flanked by flying angels.

The emperor is depicted wearing a crown, short tunic, cloak, and boots. A winged Victory stands on a globe with a cross and perhaps once held a crown, while a barbarian wearing a Phrygian cap is held back by the emperor’s lance.

The woman under the horse, a personification of the Earth, holds the emperor’s foot in a gesture of submission. The lower register depicts the vanquished barbarians paying tribute to their conqueror.

The military figure on the left presents a statuette of Victory bearing a laurel wreath.

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