Historical Scene, Death Of Consul Decius Mus

The work historical and theatrical in nature and representsthe fulfillment of a sacred vow for victory: the soothsayers had promisedvictory to the Romans over the Samnites on condition that one of the twoconsuls sacrificed himself. The work depicts the roman consul Decius Muresurrounded by his legionaries wearing the pretest toga and sacrificing himselfto the gods in exchange for victory. The tragic and intense atmosphere isrendered thanks to the dark background and illuminated by precise shots oflight spread with skill and speed.Giuseppe Bazzani was an Italian painter born in Mantua in1690. He was one of the most important painters of the Italian late Baroque,best known for his sacred, mythological and genre paintings.
Bazzani approached the painting of Domenico Fetti but aboveall the strong influences of Venetian painting.Bazzani's works range from sacred paintings to mythologicaland genre scenes. He is particularly known for his religious paintings, whichdisplay impressive technical mastery and a skillful use of light and color tocreate evocative and spiritual atmospheres. His mythological paintings areoften characterized by a vibrant vitality and a wealth of detail.Bazzani had a successful career, becoming director of theMantua academy in 1758. His works decorate numerous churches and palaces in thecity and his paintings are present in major European and American museumcollections. He received commissions from nobles, religious institutions andprivate collectors, which testifies to his prestige and reputation as a verytalented artist.