On view until January 28, 2027
The Embassy of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute of Washington present “Art and Life in Imperial Rome. Trajan and His Time”—an exhibition showcasing the Roman Empire’s golden age. Step into the world of Trajan, when Rome’s reach and influence extended across three continents, through the art, artifacts, and stories that defined an era.
Conceived as a landmark event within the Italian cultural programming marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence (America250), the show presents a carefully curated selection of masterworks on loan from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN), one of the greatest repositories of ancient art in the world.
After acclaimed showings at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston (November 2025 – January 2026) and the Saint Louis Art Museum (March – August 2026), the exhibition finds its final and most prestigious home within the scenic central atrium of the Italian Embassy, designed by architect Piero Sartogo — a setting that transforms the encounter between diplomatic space and ancient art into a truly unique experience.
At the center of the display stands the colossal marble statue of Emperor Marcus Ulpius Traianus himself, surrounded by the portrait bust of his elder sister, Marciana, and a rich selection of Pompeian frescoes that evoke the cultural life, myths, and daily pleasures of Rome at the turn of the 2nd century CE. Together, the works on show offer a vivid portrait of an empire at the height of its power and refinement.
Dates may be subject to change. Please check your email on the day of your appointment for any last-minute changes.
LOCATION
Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Click on button below to register
REGISTRATION REQUIRED AND ACCEPTED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH EVENTBRITE
Themes of the Exhibition
Power and Image
Trajan understood as few rulers before or after him the power of the visual image. Through colossal statues, portrait busts distributed across the empire, and the reliefs spiraling up his famous Column, he crafted a consistent and compelling public identity: the soldier-emperor, the builder, the benefactor. The artworks in this exhibition are not merely beautiful objects: they are instruments of communication, designed to project authority and inspire loyalty across a world that stretched from Scotland to Mesopotamia.
Women of the Imperial Court
The bust of Marciana stands for a broader truth about Trajanic Rome: women of the imperial family wielded genuine influence. Trajan’s wife Plotina and his sister Marciana were models of conduct, fashion, and political engagement for aristocratic women throughout the empire. Their portraits, disseminated through sculpture and coinage, defined ideals of femininity and power that resonated across social classes.
Art in Domestic Life
The Pompeian frescoes remind us that great art was not confined to temples and forums. The walls of private homes were painted with scenes of myth, nature, and daily life, creating immersive environments that expressed the tastes, education, and aspirations of their owners. In the richly decorated houses of the Roman elite, art was inseparable from the pleasures of living well.
The Embassy of Italy thanks all those whose generosity and vision have made this exhibition possible, and warmly welcomes visitors to experience the splendor of Rome at the height of its glory.