The Beautiful Boy

Antinous was a Greek youth deified by the Roman Emperor Hadrian after his mysterious death by drowning in the Nile around 130 CE. Though not a traditional Greek god, Antinous was worshipped as a hero and divine figure, symbolizing youth, beauty, love, and tragic loss. Deeply loved by Hadrian, his death inspired a widespread cult, with temples, statues, and festivals established in his honor across the Roman Empire. His symbols include the lotus flower, often linked to rebirth and the Nile, and representations of eternal youth and divine beauty. Antinous's deification reflects themes of romantic devotion, imperial power, and the blending of Greek and Egyptian religious traditions, with his image becoming a powerful symbol of both personal love and political divinity.

The engraving is based on a statue known as the Braschi Antinous, on display in the Musei Vaticani, which dates from the years immediately following his death.

Engraved and hand-aged. solid brass. 1.5" diameter .08" thick.