The Triumph of Aemilius Paulus, 1789, Carle Vernet (Antoine Charles Horace) (French, 1758–1836), Oil on canvas, 51 1/8 x 172 1/2 in. (129.9 x 438.2 cm)
This painting is by none other than… Carle Vernet! It’s a history painting a little over 14' long. The size of the painting alone probably would have gotten a lot of attention from the Salon. Carle painted this piece as the Revolution was getting strength. This was actually his reception piece. He thought that it would gain him full membership in the Academy. It was started in 1787 and finished in 1789. And I think it was actually shown again sometime in 1791. When I look at this the first think that comes to MY mind is: NEOCLASSICAL! (All the heroic stuff going on) It is disegno!
--For those of you who have the Fine Arts book it’s on page 14 so go ahead and look at these things I’m talking about, even though most of it is already written there. So some things I saw in here from my research were the general on the right, Aemilius Paulus!(he’s on a chariot). Somewhere behind him there are prisoners, including king Perseus and his family. [The story this is telling is of Aemilius Paulus celebrating his victory over King Perseus of Macedonia in 168 B.C.]
The light is dramatically focused on Aemilius Paulus with the background full of examples of classical architecture. Famous Roman buildings are in here, such as the temple of Jupiter and the Column of Trajan. (btw, they’re not accurate in placing them). Oh! And something interesting: he broke with tradition and drew the horse with the forms he had learnt from nature in stables and riding-schools in this painting. A Funeral of Patrocles was planned as a pendant but it never got finished. And that’s about all I got on this one! I wish I could have found out more than this though!
If you have anything to add just comment! good luck studying!
-Vanisha!
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