The Battle of Pharsalus and the Death of Pompey
Workshop of Apollonio di Giovanni
1455
tempera
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
Workshop of Apollonio di Giovanni
1455
tempera
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
This painting shows a chaotic battle scene with soldiers and horses in a dusty field. The colors are bright but faded—typical of tempera paint, which dries fast and cracks over time. The artist included small details, like Pompey’s red robe in the chaos, to draw your eye. The work comes from a workshop, not one painter. That means apprentices helped, so the style isn’t perfectly smooth. Still, it feels alive with movement and drama. Check out more tempera paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago.
