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The Ashes of Themistocles in Attic Soil

Technical Details
  • Title
    The Ashes of Themistocles in Attic Soil
  • Author
    Giuseppe Bossi
  • Year
    1806
  • Dimensions
    cm 60 x 119
  • Inventory
    1129
  • Room
    XXXVII
  • Signature
    I/. BOSSIUS F./MCCMVI

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.

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