CALIGULA – Roman Emperor Portrait 1811 Antique Copper Engraving

This finely executed 1811 copper engraving features a classical profile portrait of Caligula, the infamous Roman emperor whose brief and turbulent reign became legendary for its extravagance and tyranny. The delicate line engraving highlights his youthful features and laurel-crowned head, enclosed within an elegant rectangular frame. Printed on quality wove paper, the sheet measures approximately 5 x 8 inches and is blank on the reverse.

The accompanying text sheet provides a contemporary 19th-century biographical account of Caligula’s life, tracing his rise to power and his dramatic fall. Together, the portrait and text form a fascinating historical artifact that reflects early 19th-century interest in the moral lessons of antiquity—ideal for collectors of Roman history or antique copperplate prints.