Vincenzo Camuccini, “The Assassination of Julius Caesar”, 1804-05, Oil on Canvas, 44 x 77 Inches, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporánea, Rome, Italy
Considered the leading academic artist of his time, Italian Neoclassic painter Vincenzo Camuccini, born in 1771, created lavish portraits, and historical and religious scenes. Until nearly age 30, Camuccini spent his career imitating the Masters, particularly Raphael. “Death of Julius Caesar” was his first major independent work that incorporated his own style, and his only work aside from his self-portrait that has been widely reproduced. Camuccini was commissioned to create a mosaic for the Vatican and became so popular, he received numerous honors from the Pope, Italian courts and several academies.
The portrayal of Caesar is based upon a bust of the emperor, and is considered to be extremely accurate. The painting lavishly illustrates Caesar’s assassination during a Senate meeting in the Theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March, which a seer had warned him against attending. The Senate killed Caesar because they were threatened by his increasing power. In this painting, he may be gesturing in shock at his friend Brutus, who had also turned against him.