Julius Caesar before his assassination

Rendered in tempera on panel, the painting displays the crisp linearity and delicate coloration typical of Florentine workshops of the period. Sellaio’s handling of drapery and facial expressions reflects the influence of his master, Fra Filippo Lippi, while also incorporating the softer modeling associated with his contemporaries, such as Botticelli.

Created in Florence during the artist’s mature phase, the work entered the German museum sphere in the early twentieth century, eventually becoming part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin’s holdings. Documentation traces its movement through private collections before its acquisition by the museum, where it remains on display.

Sellaio worked in a workshop environment that blended the teachings of Lippi with the emerging humanist interests of the early Renaissance. This painting illustrates the period’s fascination with classical antiquity, using a historical Roman episode to explore themes of power, loyalty, and moral conflict that resonated with contemporary audiences.