Sold for:
$3,600
$3,600
Daniel Ridgeway Knight (American 1839-1924) , oil on canvas portrait of Belisarius and a young child clasping hands beneath a banner inscribed Date Obolum Belisario (Give an obolus to Belisarius), signed lower left, 30” x 25”. According to tradition the Byzantine general Flavius Belisarius, after a lifetime of achievement, was reduced to a blind beggar by emperor Justinian, and was condemned to sit at the Pincian gate of Rome and utter this phrase to passers by. The story gained traction in the 18th century as many saw parallels between the actions of Justinian and contemporary rulers.
Auctioneer:
Pook & Pook
Date:
2016-10-08
