DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69463#0424
BRUTUS AND HIS SONS.
self dictated, and which he bad sworn to maintain. Be-
lieving the death of his sons necessary to the liberty of
Rome, he pronounced the sentence of their condemna-
tion, and as consul, presided himself at their punishment,
M. David has delineated Brutus at the moment after
the fatal execution, when, returning to his home, the
rigour of the consul gives way to emotions of paternal
regard ; the idea is new and sublime,
Alone, seated at the foot of the statue of Rome, Brutus
holds in his hand the written evidence of the guilt of his sons.
He endeavours to stifle the sorrow which nature raises in
his bosom, and to fix all his thoughts upon his country’s
good. The bodies of his sons are at this moment con-
signed to the family sepulchre, and the noise of the
mournful ceremony disturbs his philosophic mind. At
the sight of their bleeding remains, his wife rises from
her seat, one of her daughters fixes her eyes upon the
dreadful spectacle, and the other swoons away in her
mother’s arms. Behind this group, a servant covers
her face with a veil.
It was only in the power of a great painter to unite the
expression of diverse sentiments, that agitated the mind
of Brutus, with tae resemblance of his features, as pre-
served by ancient busts. xHis figure, insulated and placed
in the shade, produces the grandest effect. The group
of women offers beauties of another kind; the design is
pure and elegant; the draperies are in a good style ; and
the disposal of the three figures, presents a whom, which
young artists would do well to study. The execution of
the celebrated work corresponds with the grandeur and
energy of the subject.
self dictated, and which he bad sworn to maintain. Be-
lieving the death of his sons necessary to the liberty of
Rome, he pronounced the sentence of their condemna-
tion, and as consul, presided himself at their punishment,
M. David has delineated Brutus at the moment after
the fatal execution, when, returning to his home, the
rigour of the consul gives way to emotions of paternal
regard ; the idea is new and sublime,
Alone, seated at the foot of the statue of Rome, Brutus
holds in his hand the written evidence of the guilt of his sons.
He endeavours to stifle the sorrow which nature raises in
his bosom, and to fix all his thoughts upon his country’s
good. The bodies of his sons are at this moment con-
signed to the family sepulchre, and the noise of the
mournful ceremony disturbs his philosophic mind. At
the sight of their bleeding remains, his wife rises from
her seat, one of her daughters fixes her eyes upon the
dreadful spectacle, and the other swoons away in her
mother’s arms. Behind this group, a servant covers
her face with a veil.
It was only in the power of a great painter to unite the
expression of diverse sentiments, that agitated the mind
of Brutus, with tae resemblance of his features, as pre-
served by ancient busts. xHis figure, insulated and placed
in the shade, produces the grandest effect. The group
of women offers beauties of another kind; the design is
pure and elegant; the draperies are in a good style ; and
the disposal of the three figures, presents a whom, which
young artists would do well to study. The execution of
the celebrated work corresponds with the grandeur and
energy of the subject.