Welcome to Poecile's Master's Gallery, a collection of works created with the hands of some of the Empyre's most illustrious artists. Since the Empyreans are a fictional race and none of their artwork exists, the images in this gallery are of works that are similar in style or medium to those in the description.

The current exhibit in the Master's Gallery is a collection to honor the memory of Deus Cassius Augustin and Ceterion Caius Antoninus. Images coming soon.

The Gallery

A larger chamber than the main gallery, this room holds some of the works of the greatest artists ever to grace the Empyre. To provide security for the collection the few windows that had existed in this room have been filled in, leaving thin outlines of the arched windows along the walls. The floors are decorated with a mosaic design, its faded image a testiment to the age of the entire structure. Braziers spaced out evenly throughout the gallery remain brightly lit, providing ample lighting for viewing the artwork. Sturdy marble pedestals dot this room, each displaying a finely crafted vase or delicately carved sculpture. Larger sculptures stand on their own while paintings are hung on the walls. Almost as silent as the works on display are the armed guards that stand watch throughout the gallery, only their colorful garb separates them from the stone sculptures they protect.

Memorial
Among the works of antiquity hangs a small plaque that appears newly crafted from a small tablet of marble. There is no excessive decoration to the piece, simply the following message: Each chose their own weapon to use in defense of the Empyre, to make us proud of ourselves and to continue our legacy for generations to come. May their lares watch over that which they left behind.
Cassius Silvarius Augustin - Deus of Augustus and Aegian
Caius Germanicus Antoninus - Servator Ceterion of the Praetorian Guard.

Quirinus
Perhaps the most delicate of the pieces in the gallery, the painting on a wooden panel of the god of war, Quirinus, is certainly one of the strongest images presented, the image of war. The heat of battle is depicted in once vibrant colors that have faded over time but still retain the ferocity of the scene. Praetorians swoop down in perfect precision, raining arrows on the Varati below, many of whom have already fallen to Praetorian weapons. Quirinus has joined in the battle, though his image is larger than life, perhaps his lare guiding the fighting Empyreans to victory. A hawk clutching a spear, his symbol, flies overhead, it's beak open as it screams in triumph. The wings of the god are unfurled to the winds and though some sections of the painting have faded or flaked off altogether, there is still the image of power in the god's wings and form as he guides his Praetors to victory.

Portrait of an Aegian
This impressive work stands almost six feet in height, carved from a block of pristine white marble. One of the many works of the talented Ouranios artist, Hypithian, this image of an unknown member of the Aegis is one of the finest works of the Golden Age. Garbed in the tunic and toga of his compatriots, the material is expertly captured in stone, draping naturally over the form. The man's wings are held up proudly at his back, each feather given careful attention with the chisel for exceptional realism. The larger than life figure is seated with one arm raised outward, the work is so fine that it looks lifelike. The expression is stern, each line in the face reflects the emotion on his visage.

Basilica Justinia
Numerous glimmering mosaic tiles construct the glorious image of the Basilica Justinia in Civitas Dei, the meeting place of the Aegis. The view originates from the grand entryway of the chamber, providing a stunning image of the grandeur that houses the ruling body of the Empyre. Marble benches made more comfortable with cushions are crafted in exquisite detail of perfectly arranged tiles. Flecks of gold and slivers of mother of pearl add a light to the marble walls of the building which rise from the mortal images on the lower levels to the faces of the gods who continually look over the proceedings of their offspring. The dais which hold the Princeps' podium and the throne of the Emperor seem bathed in light so that the entire section glows, thanks to the talent of the artist.

Battle Amphora
No more glorious image can be depicted of the Praetorian Guard than when they are at battle, defeating the enemy and preserving the glory of the Empyre. This large amphora stands roughly two feet in height, the size almost equally divided between the slender neck and the cylindrical base. White figures of Empyreans in Praetorian armor and bearing weapons stand out from the black background, engaged in battle with what appear to be Varati warriors. The slender neck is circled with archers in flight while the bowl of the amphora is decorated with ground troops meeting the enemy weapon to weapon with the Empyreans appearing to be in control of the skirmish. The piece is from the Hupatos period of the Golden Age, it's figures are strikingly detailed and there is a stronger level of perspective than seen in the Kronian period The slender handles of the amphora are decorate with the three pillars of the Guard: Loyalty, Honor, and Service.

Consentes Dii
The oldest piece in the collection, this delicate wide-mouthed bowl depicts an image of the Kronian in the center, with wings outspread to reach either side of the inner bowl and lightning bolts in his fists. The exterior of the bowl is decorated with the Kronian's twelve advisors, his Consentes Dii, who would go on to establish what is known today as the Aegis. The terra-cotta colored figures are stylized in their depiction, each face stern and identical to each other, though each name had been inscribed into the pottery around the figure. Their clothing is stylized as well, as is customary from this time period. Each toga hands without any definition of the body beneath it, with evenly spaced lines to suggest folds in the material. The rim and base of the piece is decorated with a simple key pattern.

Ceterion
Carved into pale marble, this impressive image of one of the Empyrean's fighting caste. No name is affixed to this larger than life image, meant to glorify the caste as a whole rather than an individual. No detail has been spared in this work. The tenseness of the muscles in the arm holding an unsheathed gladius, the tightness of lines around his eyes and mouth are all there in lifelike-detail. The tunic beneath his armor is caved to look like cloth, rather than the cold stone that constructs the image. While there is the illusion of softness in his tunic and even his hair, the armor adorning him bears none of that. He is adorned in the full garb of a Praetorian Ceterion, set to go into battle, but with the precise attention to detail that make them impressive to look upon.