Artwork

Caius Furius Cressinus Accused of Sorcery

Caius Furius Cressinus Accused of Sorcery, by Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours, unspecified, 1796
Caius Furius Cressinus Accused of Sorcery, by Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours, unspecified, 1796

Caius Furius Cressinus Accused of Sorcery is an unspecified painting by Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Painted in 1796 by Swiss Neoclassical artist Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours, *Caius Furius Cressinus Accused of Sorcery* is a historical narrative painting depicting a moment of tension and accusation from classical antiquity.

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates the accused Caius Furius Cressinus walking away from a gathered crowd in front of a monumental stone building, amidst a mix of observant and distracted onlookers, including a concerned woman in white, conveying a sense of public turmoil and personal distress.

Technique & Style

Executed in a Neoclassical style, characteristic of its time, the work features careful composition, classical architectural elements, and attention to detail in attire, reflecting Saint-Ours' adherence to the aesthetic principles of clarity and moral gravity prevalent among his contemporaries, such as Jacques-Louis David.

History & Provenance

Part of a series exploring historical themes often produced in smaller scales due to commission constraints, *Caius Furius Cressinus Accused of Sorcery* is now part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's collection.

Context

Created during a period when Neoclassicism emphasized moral lessons from antiquity, this painting aligns with the broader artistic movement's focus on classical subjects for contemporary ethical reflection.

Legacy

While not as widely recognized as works by some of his contemporaries, Saint-Ours' painting contributes to the understanding of late 18th-century Neoclassical artistic practices and the continued fascination with ancient Roman themes in art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours

Artist

Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours

Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours (4 April 1752 – 6 April 1809) was a Swiss painter from Geneva.