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151 x 195 cm
Oil on canvas


Report

Expertise

The Testament of Cato Uticensis

The subject

Antonio Molinari was a great narrator of biblical scenes and those in classical culture.

In this painting he tells of the death of Cato Uticensis: after joining Pompey’s cause during the Civil War in a desperate attempt to preserve the Republican institutions threatened by Caesar’s advances, he suffered a defeat that forced him to retreat to Utica; once there, however, after careful reflection he decided not to plead for mercy from the victor and instead killed himself with a sword, after one last philosophical discussion with his most loyal followers.


The painting

Egidio Martini identified Molinari as the creator of the piece. The atmosphere that reigns over the entire scene is one of peace and tranquillity; suitable for a quiet conversation leaving absolutely no suggestion of the tragic epilogue to come once the discussion of Plato’s texts that Cato holds in his hands is complete.

Through the use of warm colours and soft brush strokes, Molinari managed to surround Uticensis with an almost mystic atmosphere and transform a death scene into a sublime moment. An important note from Egidio Martini (written communication) on this piece is the existence of a preparatory drawing, today conserved at the Kunstmuseum in Düsseldorf (inv. no. 3572).