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The Ashes of Themistocles in Attic Soil

Giuseppe Bossi

This painting, commissioned by Giovan Battista Sommariva, illustrates the final act in the story of Themistocles who was unfairly exiled on a charge of betraying Athens and who committed suicide rather than fight against his homeland. To prove his loyalty, he asked to be buried in Attic soil. The story was of major civic significance, a fact which may have attracted Sommariva’s interest after he was denied the post of Vice-President of the Cisalpine Republic despite years of loyal service with Napoleon.

Download hi-res image TITLE The Ashes of Themistocles in Attic Soil
AUTHOR Giuseppe Bossi
DATE 1806
OBJECT TYPE AND MATERIAL Oil on panel
TECNICA OPERA olio su tavola
DIMENSIONS cm 60 x 119
INVENTORY 1129
ROOM XXXVII
FIRMA I/. BOSSIUS F./MCCMVI
Work on display
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