Artwork
A Roman holiday
A Roman holiday is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Briton Rivière. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.
About this work
Overview
Briton Rivière, a British painter of Huguenot ancestry, created the oil work *A Roman Holiday* in 1891. Though best known for animal subjects, Rivière placed this dramatic composition within the broader currents of late‑19th‑century Impressionism. The painting is part of the National Gallery of Victoria’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas shows a nude male figure lying on a sand‑covered arena, flanked by two tigers. One tiger reclines beside him, while the other looms in the background with its jaws open, suggesting a roar. The scene evokes a moment of peril and spectacle, reminiscent of ancient Roman games.
Technique & Style
Rivière employs strong chiaroscuro to model the figures, contrasting the deep shadows of the arena walls with the bright illumination on the tigers’ fur and the man's skin. The brushwork captures the texture of sand and animal pelage, while the overall palette and light effects align with Impressionist concerns for atmosphere.
History & Provenance
After its debut, the painting was shown at the Royal Academy, where Rivière regularly exhibited. It later entered the holdings of the National Gallery of Victoria, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European painting collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Briton Rivière (14 August 1840 – 20 April 1920) was a British artist of Huguenot descent. He exhibited a variety of paintings at the Royal Academy, but devoted much of his life to animal paintings.
