Jun 22
Ancient Rome; Agrippina Landing with the Ashes of Germanicus
Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner (English, 1775–1851)
Date: Exhibited 1839
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Tate Britain, London, United Kingdom
Description
Turner draws on his observations of Rome and his imagination to depict the city in ancient times. Rising from the mist it appears as a glowing mass of buildings that melts into the distance.
Turner overlays this dreamlike cityscape with a story about love and devotion from ancient Italy. Agrippina was married to Roman general, Germanicus. When he was killed, Agrippina carried his ashes back to Rome in an urn. She was met on her journey by crowds of mourners.
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