M. Tullius Cicero

early 18th century

A mezzotint entitled "M. Tullius Cicero" (English, early 18th century) engraved by John Faber the Elder (British, c. 1660-1721) after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640), published by Thomas Bowles I, London. The mezzotint depicts a bust portrait of the Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43 BC). Cicero’s head is turned to the right and drapery surrounds his shoulders. His hair is worn in a short style. His face is molded with detailed features. The background shows the bust standing in niche stonework. Inscribed on the bottom left beneath the image is "Ex. marmore antique", opposite on the lower right is "P. P. Rubens Delin. K." Beneath the title is a short paragraph describing the life of Cicero, it reads "The greatest Oratory Roman State ever Bred or Employ’d, yet not less to be admired in Philosophy, it being manifest yy Depth & Compass of his Understanding, / together with ye solidity of His Judgement in His Morals & other Treatises, equal’s ye Powers & Glories of yt Inimitable stile He shew’d Himself Master of in his Orations. / Mark Anthony when Triumvir, out of revenge because Cicero had formerly expos’d him in his Philippicks, ordered his Head to be cut off & stuck up in / ye Pleading Place He was cut off in ye 63rd Year of his Age & 40 Years before ye Birth of Our Savior. Sold by Tho. Bowles next the Chapter House in St. Pauls Church Yard." The mezzotint is housed in a black painted wood frame.

English

ink on paper

16 1/2" x 12 1/2"

Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Carpenter, 1994.

PSNC.3704