Gallery of the emperors

The Farnese collection, like many other antiquities collections in Renaissance, is not merely an assemblage of beautiful or rare objects but, in a more meaningful way, serves as a means for the self-representation of such powerful family, that considers itself the direct descendant of the emperors of Rome. In this logic, the imperial portraits are displayed in the ceremonial rooms, as if they were images of illustrious ancestors.

On the other hand, there were also ancient statues of emperors in the Farnese Palace . They are marvellous full-length sculptures, like this one, originally representing an emperor of the early 3rd century, with its head portraying Cesar added on the occasion of the transfer to Naples.

Colossal portraits, like this of Julius Caesar, belonging to the sculptural decoration of the Forum of Trajan in Rome.

Colossal portraits of emperors shown in their heroic nudity, like Alexander Severus, almost 4 mt tall.

A prominent element in the Hall of Emperors, the portrait of Caracalla contrasts the traditional image of bearded emperors inaugurated by Hadrian and originally referring to the image of philosophers. The emperor is represented here as a soldier, with a scowl on his face, ready for imminent action.

The statue of Antinous, the young lover of Hadrian, deified after his death on the Nile, was very famous. The sculpture was placed in one of the niches of the Carracci Gallery, one of the most significant halls in the building.