Reverse Glass Print of the Roman Emperor Otho

M. Sylvius Otho

An exceptionally rare Seventeenth Century reverse glass print of the Roman Emperor Otho after Titian and engraved by Robert Van Voerst. Presented in its original ebonised frame.

Titian's original portrait of Otho entered the Royal Collection with Charles I's purchase of the Duke of Mantua's exceptional art collection in 1628. It formed part of a set depicting the 12 Emperors of Rome painted by Titian 1536-9. The paintings were famously engraved by Aegidius Sadeler in the 1590s and it is unsurprising that Charles I commissioned Van Voerst to rival them. The paintings were sold after Charles's execution and entered the Spanish Royal Collection. 

Van Dyck adapated Titian's portrait of Otho in armour to create a portrait of Charles I and this may be Van Voerst engraved only this painting from Titian's series.