Pollice Verso (Gérôme)
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| - | ==In painting== | + | |
| - | *''[[Romans in the Decadence of the Empire]]'' by [[Thomas Couture]] | + | '''''Pollice Verso''''' (from {{lang-la|with a turned thumb}}) is a painting by French artist [[Jean-Léon Gérôme]], featuring the [[Pollice verso|eponymous Roman gesture]] directed to the winning [[gladiator]]s. |
| - | *''[[The Roses of Heliogabalus]]'' | + | |
| - | *''[[Pollice Verso (Gérôme)|Pollice Verso]]'' | + | The gesture on the painting is given by the [[Vestals]] to victorious [[secutor]], awaiting the decision on beaten [[retiarius]] at [[Colosseum]]. The painting inspired the 2000 film ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'', where [[Commodus]] holds raised thumb to spare [[Maximus Decimus Meridius|Maximus]]. |
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| + | ==The painting== | ||
| + | Apart from the gladiators and Vestals, the picture shows the [[Roman emperor|emperor]] in his box. Gérôme craftly used the light and [[Perspective (graphical)|perspective]] to depict some features. The blend of [[voyeurism]] and a sense of moral superiority is a specific 19th-century feature. | ||
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| + | [[Alexander Turney Stewart]] purchased the painting from Gérôme and exhibited it in [[New York City]]. He published a [[pamphlet]] about the work, proving to the satisfaction of his contemporaries that pollice verso was a matter of turning the thumb up or down. | ||
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| + | ===Historical accuracy=== | ||
| + | Gérôme's depiction of Colosseum's architecture is based on accurate drawings and the armour of gladiators follows the design of those found in [[Pompeii]]. Gérôme also checked the written sources for archaeological reference. Some Latin textbooks used ''Pollice Verso'' to illustrate Roman customs. The producers of ''Gladiator'' showed [[Ridley Scott]] a reproduction of ''Pollice Verso'' before he read the film script. "That image spoke to me of the Roman Empire in all its glory and wickedness. I knew right then and there I was hooked", said Scott. However it was found that the secutor's armour is not properly assembled. | ||
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Revision as of 23:09, 28 November 2010
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Pollice Verso (from Template:Lang-la) is a painting by French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, featuring the eponymous Roman gesture directed to the winning gladiators.
The gesture on the painting is given by the Vestals to victorious secutor, awaiting the decision on beaten retiarius at Colosseum. The painting inspired the 2000 film Gladiator, where Commodus holds raised thumb to spare Maximus.
The painting
Apart from the gladiators and Vestals, the picture shows the emperor in his box. Gérôme craftly used the light and perspective to depict some features. The blend of voyeurism and a sense of moral superiority is a specific 19th-century feature.
Alexander Turney Stewart purchased the painting from Gérôme and exhibited it in New York City. He published a pamphlet about the work, proving to the satisfaction of his contemporaries that pollice verso was a matter of turning the thumb up or down.
Historical accuracy
Gérôme's depiction of Colosseum's architecture is based on accurate drawings and the armour of gladiators follows the design of those found in Pompeii. Gérôme also checked the written sources for archaeological reference. Some Latin textbooks used Pollice Verso to illustrate Roman customs. The producers of Gladiator showed Ridley Scott a reproduction of Pollice Verso before he read the film script. "That image spoke to me of the Roman Empire in all its glory and wickedness. I knew right then and there I was hooked", said Scott. However it was found that the secutor's armour is not properly assembled.
