Jean-François-Pierre Peyron | Belisarius receiving Hospitality from a Peasant | NG6551

Belisarius receiving Hospitality from a Peasant

Jean-François-Pierre Peyron

The scene is derived from Marmontel's novel 'Bélisaire' (1767). The general Belisarius, unjustly blinded and impoverished by the eastern Roman emperor Justinian, is welcomed as a hero into the home of a peasant who introduces him to his family. At the left stands the peasant's son who had once served under Belisarius and who now plans vengeance against Justinian.

Like 'Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi' this painting may be a sketch exhibited by Peyron at the 1785 Paris Salon for a larger version of the subject now in Toulouse.

Key facts

Artist	Jean-François-Pierre Peyron
Artist dates	1744 - 1814
Full title	Belisarius receiving Hospitality from a Peasant
Group	Two Scenes from Ancient Roman History
Date made	1779
Medium and support	Oil on paper laid down on canvas
Dimensions	55 x 84.5 cm
Inscription summary	Signed; Dated
Acquisition credit	Bought, 1995
Inventory number	NG6551
Location in Gallery	Not on display

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Belisarius receiving Hospitality from a Peasant by Jean-François-Pierre Peyron

Two Scenes from Ancient Roman History

These two paintings were made as sketches for pendants, or companion pieces, intended to be shown together.

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Two Scenes from Ancient Roman History

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