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The Death of Sophonisba

c. 1810

attributed to Pierre Guérin

(French, 1774–1833)
France, 19th century
oil on canvas
Framed: 52 x 80 x 7 cm (20 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.); Unframed: 40 x 60 cm (15 3/4 x 23 5/8 in.)
Bequest of Jacques de Caso in memory of Alice Cagliostro and Domenick Cagliostro 2008.71
Location: 202 French Neoclassical Decorative Arts
Public Domain
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Did You Know?

The story of Sophonisba has been an inspiration to artists, writers, and even filmmakers since the 1300s.

Description

When a Roman general seized Sophonisba as war booty, her husband encouraged her to die with dignity rather than become a captive. She chose suicide by poison. As depicted in the painting, the toxin has just begun to take effect, and she uneasily maintains composure while penning a suicide note.
The Death of Sophonisba

The Death of Sophonisba

c. 1810

Pierre Guérin

(French, 1774–1833)
France, 19th century

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