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1932 Innsbruck – 2011 Vienna
- Title
- „Farnesina Dixie“ – Quadriga
- Time
- 2006
- signed
- and dated "Prachensky 06"
- Technique
- acryl on hand-made paper
- Measurements
- ca. 22,8×31,1 in
Markus Prachensky’s dynamic series „Farnesina Dixie„ is inspired by the lively rhythms of Dixieland music and the impressive ancient frescoes of the Villa Iulia. The Roman villa, also known as the Casa della Farnesina, was likely built around 20 BC for Iulia, the daughter of Emperor Augustus. During the regulation of the Tiber River in 1878, the ancient structure was discovered beneath the gardens of the Renaissance palace Villa Farnesina.
The valuable frescoes from the early Augustan period were preserved and are now housed in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, where Markus Prachensky admired them during his trips to Rome. The gray background found in some of the ancient wall paintings led Prachensky to choose a smoky background color. In addition to ancient architecture, he also drew inspiration from Roman coins – likely, in this case, from the motif of a triumphal chariot on a denarius from the Augustan period. The two-wheeled quadriga, drawn by four horses, was one of the most important chariots of antiquity and a symbol of sovereignty for both secular rulers and numerous gods.
The „Farnesina Dixie“ series was created in 2006 and, together with the series „Senatus Populusque Romanus“ (2004) and „Senatus Consultum“ (2005), forms the Imperium Romanum cycle. Through expressive, gestural notes of emotion in his „color of life“, red, Prachensky translated the impressions of his stays in the Eternal City into his unique, expressive, and spontaneous visual language.