Septimius Severus Reproaching Caracalla

work by Greuze

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July 13, 2026

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The painting "Septimius Severus Reproaching Caracalla" was created by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, a French genre and portrait painter known for his sentimental and moralizing works. Greuze exhibited this painting in 1769, hoping to be admitted to the academy as a history painter. However, the academy only recognized him as a genre painter, leading him to exhibit his works privately for the next 30 years.12

The painting depicts Caracalla, Roman emperor from 211 to 217 CE, and his father, Septimius Severus. Caracalla was known for his violent and cruel nature, and his reign contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. Septimius Severus, his father, was an emperor who founded a personal dynasty and transformed the government into a military monarchy.345

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Jean-Baptiste Greuze
…large, rather dreary historical painting, Septimius Severus Reproaching Caracalla, which he hoped would gain him admission to the academy as a history painter. But the academy would admit him to membership only as a genre painter, and so the resentful artist exhibited his works to the public only in his…
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…large, rather dreary historical painting, Septimius Severus Reproaching Caracalla, which he hoped would gain him admission to the academy as a history painter. But the academy would admit him to membership only as a genre painter, and so the resentful artist exhibited his works to the public only in his…
Read More