GÉRÔME’s DEATH OF CAESAR went on to become one of AMERICA’s most beloved paintings. The painting captures the moment of the ROMAN Emperor’s murder, as his henchmen, arms outstretched, appear to be dancing around his body.
We see a realistic representation of the art, sculpture and architecture that GÉRÔME had studied while in ROME. However, the scene, which takes place in the THEATER OF POMPEII, is staged in a style that was unusual for its time: the object of the piece is foregrounded, but it is secondary to the actions of the plotters. The body of CAESAR is left in the darkness to the left-hand side of the canvas, and the story revolves around a group of cheering knifemen.
This composition would have an influence on other history painters. DES CARS wrote: "Its evocative power and its consummate mastery of visual theater, characterized by the favorite device of the central void, was to be a lasting influence on the way other painters depicted and staged drama."
This piece depicts the renowned mathematician and physicist sitting on a rock, bent over a compass and a scroll on the ground. Surrounded by darkness, NEWTON appears entirely consumed by his thoughts. This powerful image was inspired by the tenth plate of Blake's illustrated treatise, 'There is No Natural Religion.'
For BLAKE, NEWTON was a representation of rationality and scientific inquiry, which he viewed as limiting and stifling. In 'ISAAC NEWTON,' the sharp angles and straight lines used to depict NEWTON'S body emphasize the repressive nature of reason. On the other hand, the organic textures of the rock, covered in algae and living organisms, symbolize the natural world. According to BLAKE, it is in nature that the human imagination finds its true reflection.
The surrounding darkness in the engraving is often interpreted as the bottom of the sea or outer space, representing NEWTON'S ignorance of the natural world and his distance from the true light of knowledge, symbolized by the Platonic light. The compass, a tool of geometry and rational order, is a symbol of the Enlightenment's materialistic worldview, which BLAKE strongly criticized.
The painting has been widely reproduced, referenced, and reinterpreted throughout history. It has become BLAKE'S most recognizable visual artwork and is often seen as a representation of his artistic philosophy. Through this powerful image, BLAKE conveys his rejection of reason and scientific inquiry in favor of the imagination and the natural world.