RICHARD WESTALL, R.A. (Hertford 1765-1836 London)

The Goddess Roma appearing to Julius Caesar at the bank of the Rubicon

Details

RICHARD WESTALL, R.A. (Hertford 1765-1836 London)
The Goddess Roma appearing to Julius Caesar at the bank of the Rubicon
oil on paper laid down on board
3¼ x 6 1/8 in. (8.3 x 15.5 cm.)

Provenance

Anon. Sale, Christie's, London, 14 November 1997, lot 52 (£4000=$6,800).

Exhibited

(Possibly) London, Royal Academy, 1793, no. 56.
London, British Institution, 1808, no. 60, as 'Caesar passing the Rubicon from Lucan's Pharsalia'.
London, Upper Charlotte Street, 1814, no. 41.
London, British Institution, Deceased British Artists, 1849, no. 128.

Sale room notice

Please note the dimensions in the catalogue for this lot are incorrect. The dimensions should read: 28 1/4 x 37in. (71.8 x 94cm.)

Lot Essay

Westall's painting illustrates lines 185-193 of Book I of Lucan's Pharsalia, which was left unfinished at his death in Rome on 30 April A.D. 65.

The verses describe the turning point of Julius Ceasar's return to Rome to overthrow Pompey. The Rubicon was the border between Cisalpine Gaul, Caesar's province, and Rome. By law, no Roman General could enter Rome at the head of any army and by crossing the Rubicon, Caesar had actively initiated war.

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