Artwork

Sculpture - Arms of the Roman Senate from the Tomb of Agrippina, now in the Palazzo de' Conservatori on the Capitol

Sculpture - Arms of the Roman Senate from the Tomb of Agrippina, now in the Palazzo de' Conservatori on the Capitol is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist John Henry Parker. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The image is a monochrome photograph capturing a series of carved stone shields that once adorned the tomb of Agrippina, a burial monument now displayed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori on Rome’s Capitoline Hill. The shields are set in a linear arrangement on a flat slab, each bearing relief motifs such as lions, stars and undulating lines, and they rest against a low stone ledge in the foreground.

Subject & Meaning

The relief shields form part of the decorative program of the tomb, reflecting Roman funerary iconography that combined symbolic animals and celestial motifs to convey status, protection and the after‑life journey of the deceased. The lion, for instance, traditionally signified strength, while the star and wave patterns may allude to divine guidance and the flow of time.

Technique & Style

Carved from a fine-grained stone, the shields exhibit shallow relief work characteristic of late Republican or early Imperial Roman sculpture. The motifs are rendered with crisp outlines and subtle depth, allowing light to accentuate the contours. The overall aesthetic aligns with the classical emphasis on balanced composition and clear, legible symbolism.

History & Provenance

The photograph was produced between 1864 and 1879 as part of John Henry Parker’s extensive survey of Roman monuments, a project that enlisted several local photographers, including Charles Smeaton. The series, published in Parker’s *Archaeology of Rome*, documented works ranging from antiquity to the seventeenth century, and many of the original prints are now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Henry Parker

John Henry Parker liked to explore old churches in Rome. He'd photograph the sculptures and carvings he found. One thing that stands out is his attention to detail - he'd capture tiny parts of bigger pieces, like the…