A number of Turner paintings fall into my favourites category. The particular appeal of this one is that it depicts a moment in antiquity that has always intrigued me. Germanicus, heroic general and proconsul of Gaul, was closely related to two infamous and degenerate emperors, his son Caligula and grandson Nero. I enjoy Turner's vision of the story and impressionistic treatment of light, washing a golden veil over the Roman architecture and shimmering reflections on the water of the Tiber. Agrippina's boat glides into harbour with her husband's ashes at the end of the long journey from Antioch, where he perished'
Charlotte Mullins comments on Ancient Rome
This story is from the May 17, 2023 edition of Country Life UK.
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This story is from the May 17, 2023 edition of Country Life UK.
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Tales as old as time
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