The Latin Sol Invictus, meaning the Unconquered or Unconquered Sun, a title associated with solar divinity in the Roman Empire. The image represented the Sun as a power that could disappear into darkness yet inevitably return, rising again each morning and strengthening again after the darkest period of winter. Solar cults had existed throughout Roman history, but Sol Invictus became especially prominent during the third century, when Emperor Aurelian elevated the cult of the Sun and dedicated a major temple to Sol in Rome in 274 CE. A festival associated with the Natalis Invicti, or birth of the Unconquered, was celebrated on December 25 in late Roman antiquity, close to the winter solstice when daylight begins its seasonal return in the Northern Hemisphere.
Framing Note: Frames are selected by the artist and are included primarily to protect the artwork during handling and transit. Collectors are welcome to reframe the artwork after receipt according to their personal preference.
Material: Mixed Metal
Imperial
Piece: 24" × 48"
Frame: 28" × 52"
Weight: 9.20 lbs
Metric
Piece: 61 × 121.9 cm
Frame: 71.1 × 132.1 cm
Weight: 4.17 kg
The Latin Sol Invictus, meaning the Unconquered or Unconquered Sun, a title associated with solar divinity in the Roman Empire. The image represented the Sun as a power that could disappear into darkness yet inevitably return, rising again each morning and strengthening again after the darkest period of winter. Solar cults had existed throughout Roman history, but Sol Invictus became especially prominent during the third century, when Emperor Aurelian elevated the cult of the Sun and dedicated a major temple to Sol in Rome in 274 CE. A festival associated with the Natalis Invicti, or birth of the Unconquered, was celebrated on December 25 in late Roman antiquity, close to the winter solstice when daylight begins its seasonal return in the Northern Hemisphere.
Framing Note: Frames are selected by the artist and are included primarily to protect the artwork during handling and transit. Collectors are welcome to reframe the artwork after receipt according to their personal preference.
Material: Mixed Metal
Imperial
Piece: 24" × 48"
Frame: 28" × 52"
Weight: 9.20 lbs
Metric
Piece: 61 × 121.9 cm
Frame: 71.1 × 132.1 cm
Weight: 4.17 kg
