The Triumphs of Caesar: The Elephants

1490

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

The Triumphs of Caesar: The Elephants is a 1490 by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Giovanni Antonio da Brescia
When & what style?: 1490 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a busy scene with lots of people and animals. In the center, a group of soldiers march, some carrying spears and shields. Behind them, a line of elephants walks, each with a tower of lit torches on their backs. The background is packed with trees, buildings, and more torch-lit columns, giving a sense of a grand parade. Notice how the artist uses shading to make some figures stand out more than others. The elephants’ towering forms and the soldiers’ determined steps create a sense of movement and scale. Check out the Renaissance movement for more examples of how artists used perspective and storytelling in their work.