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The Bustus used to be a common sight in ancient Rome. They were a memorial to the dead and were erected outside of the house and on the street. They were sacred monuments and could not be moved or demolished. Nero wanted to rebuild the city of Rome to a grand design but could not get planning permission because of the Bustus monuments in the streets.
One night the city of Rome spontaneously caught on fire in several different places simultaneously. An obvious act of arson. Nero was reportedly on the fiddle.
This delightful little sketch (140 x 145 mm) was painted with the egg tempera medium using three colours of black, white and grey.
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