Carataco in Front of the Emperor Claudio, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Description

Oil on canvas. Northern European school of the 18th century.Carataco was a Celtic king of the Briton tribe Catuvellauni and … more Oil on canvas. Northern European school of the 18th century.Carataco was a Celtic king of the Briton tribe Catuvellauni and leader of the anti-Roman resistance and famous as a freedom fighter. For eight years he resisted the Roman invasion of Britain beginning in A.D. 43. For eight years he was the most wanted man in the Roman Empire, hunted relentlessly, from fight to fight, fortress to fortress, in the mountains of Wales, until he was betrayed and handed over to the Romans in 51 A.D. by Cartimandua, queen of the Yorkshire Brigantes, to whom he had resorted for help. Defeated, he was brought in chains to Rome with his entire family: led before the emperor, the Briton king spoke with such wisdom and pride (with the speech reported by Tacitus in his Annales) that Claudius, impressed by his words, granted clemency to him, his wife and brothers, allowing them to spend the rest of their days in Rome. The painting re-enacts the moment of the peroration of Caratacus, at the center of the scene in chains, fervently pleading his cause before the emperor: the latter sits on his throne, flanked by his wife and surrounded by senators and soldiers.The painting, restored and re-painted in the late 1800s, shows slight damage.
This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution less