This huge painting by Jean-Baptiste van Loo depicts a passage taken from the Life of Augustus.
Told in the early 2nd century by Suetonius, the Roman author recounts how the “wise” and “moderate” Augustus forced the “Barbarian” kings to pledge allegiance in front of the Temple of Mars.
A sculpture on the left of the composition evokes the site. The emperor takes the wives of his enemy’s hostage, without however punishing those who rebel against his decision.
Van Loo offers a faithful illustration of the historical text, in a perfectly classical style which adheres to the conventions of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture of which he was a member. His very coherent composition highlights the tense relationship between the emperor, sat on his throne, and the princes bowing down before him, whilst distancing their threatened wives from negotiations.
The inscription at the bottom of the work indicates that it was commissioned from the Aix painter by the General Accounting Office in Provence. The advisors wanted to denounce the policies of Minister André Hercule de Fleury, whilst at the same time alluding to the kindness of King Louis XV by comparing him to Augustus, known throughout history for being a clement Caesar.