Fine Art

Scene from the Wedding of Messalina and Gaius Sillius — History & Facts

The promiscuous Messalina, the bare-breasted woman in the centre, was the wife of Emperor Claudius. She committed adultery by marrying Sillius and they organized an inordinately lavish banquet to celebrate their wedding. The group peering out the window is on to something; Emperor Claudius is approaching the palace to put an end to the infidelity, drinking and merrymaking.

Messalina’s frenzied greed ultimately led to her downfall.

More Artworks by Nicolaes Knupfer

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Historical scene of dignitaries bestowing royal insignia on a gardener, oil on panel by Nicolaes Knupfer

The Legates of Alexander the Great Investing the Gardener Abdalonymus with the Insignia of the Kingship of Sidon

Nicolaes Knupfer

More Historical Art

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Historical scene of a militia company, oil painting by Rembrandt van Rijn

The Night Watch Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq

Rembrandt van Rijn

Lincoln Memorial sculpture in marble by Henry Bacon

Lincoln Memorial

Henry Bacon

The Third of May 1808 by Francisco de Goya, oil on canvas showing a man in white with arms outstretched.

The Third of May 1808

Francisco de Goya

Isaac and Rebecca, oil on canvas by Rembrandt van Rijn, showing a tender moment.

Isaac and Rebecca, Known as ‘The Jewish Bride’

Rembrandt van Rijn

The Charge of the Mamelukes, oil on canvas by Francisco de Goya, depicting charging horses in battle.

The Charge of the Mamelukes (1814)

Francisco de Goya

Engraving by Albrecht Dürer depicting the four horsemen of the apocalypse

De vier ruiters van de apocalyps

Albrecht Dürer