04-01-2006, 08:28 AM
Quote:According to my Kleiner Pauly, they already appear in Greek art, though the familiar form belongs to Hellenistic rather than Classical times
Oh wow, so it's Greek. The Romans never come up with anything :lol: (just kidding) :wink:
Quote:I guess you could argue that depicting emperors in a ceremonial context ius never a 'secular' subject by Roman lights, but the tradition of showing a reigning emperior with a nimbus continuzes in Byzantine and Byzantine-influenced art into the 14th century
Yeah, I didn't think the Byzantines ever gave it up. My guess is they justified its use for Emperors since they were God's "vice regent" on earth. But in the West I think it ceased being used for secular figures. Not even Popes are seen with them (unless they were subsequently Sainted). Maybe I'm wrong though...?
Jaime
