Virgil reading his works to the Emperor Augustus and his Sister Octavia, when he comes to speak of Marcellus, Augustus breaks into tears and Octavia faints
Antonio Zucchi, RA (Venice 1726 - Rome 1796)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1767
Materials
Oil on canvas
Place of origin
London
Collection
Osterley Park and House, London
NT 773418
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Virgil reading his works to the Emperor Augustus and his Sister Octavia, when he comes to speak of Marcellus, Augustus breaks into tears and Octavia faints by Antonio Zucchi, RA (Venice 1726 – Rome 1796), 1767. Right of chimney abobe bookcase. The Roman poet Virgil, in red with goldn cloak draped over,l stands on the left reading from a large book. The Emperor,with laurel wreath on his head, sits on a throne to the right with an attendant standing behind him. Octavia, in yellow, seated on a red velvet bench has already fainted. An attendant stands behind her, on the right, pointing towards her brother Augustus. See Saltram NT 872169.2 and Nostell NT 960060.10.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Osterley Park by George Francis Child-Villiers (1910–1998), 9th Earl of Jersey in 1949
Credit line
Osterley Park, The Jersey Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
Antonio Zucchi, RA (Venice 1726 - Rome 1796), artist