Artwork
Tarquinius Priscus Entering Rome
Tarquinius Priscus Entering Rome is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Jacopo da Sellaio. It dates from 1470 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jacopo del Sellaio, a Florentine painter active in the late 15th century, completed the work titled *Tarquinius Priscus Entering Rome* in 1470. The oil on panel is part of the early Renaissance repertoire and is presently housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art. It portrays the legendary fifth king of Rome as he arrives in the city, surrounded by a bustling crowd.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the regal figure of Tarquinius Priscus, identified by his presence among a procession of armored men, mounted riders, and onlookers. A seated woman on a throne‑like chair, crowned and dressed in an elaborate gown, occupies the focal point, suggesting a ceremonial reception or a symbolic representation of civic authority within the mythic narrative.
Technique & Style
Sellaio’s handling reflects the transitional language of the early Renaissance, combining linear clarity with a rich palette.
Sellaio’s handling reflects the transitional language of the early Renaissance, combining linear clarity with a rich palette. The figures are rendered with defined contours, while the decorative throne and patterned textiles display an attention to surface detail reminiscent of his contemporaries Botticelli, Filippino Lippi, and Ghirlandaio. Atmospheric depth is suggested through a backdrop of architecture, foliage, and water, punctuated by a soaring bird.
History & Provenance
Created in Florence, the painting entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its attribution to Sellaio aligns with his documented activity in the workshop of Fra Filippo Lippi, a setting that exposed him to the stylistic currents of the period.
Context
The work reflects the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity and the legendary foundations of Rome. By depicting a foundational monarch, Sellaio engages with contemporary humanist interests, presenting an idealized vision of civic virtue and the continuity between ancient Rome and 15th‑century Florence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacopo del Sellaio (1441/42–1493) was an Italian painter of the early Renaissance, active in his native Florence.
