KARL VON PILOTY, 1882

An internationally renowned painter of historical scenes, Karl von Piloty was a leading representative of the Realist school in Germany and in addition to an incredibly successful artistic career, he went on to become professor, and later director, of the Munich Academy of Fine Arts.

Beneath the Arena imagines an encounter between a Pagan priest and a Christian woman who has been martyred at the Colosseum, making reference to the historical persecution of Christians in the time of the Roman Empire. This was a relatively popular subject in 19th century art, however while artists like Jean-Léon Gérôme and Henryk Siemiradzki captured the shocking brutality of persecution, Karl von Piloty chose to focus on psychological rather than physical drama.

The composition is centred on the Pagan priest, who is caught in a moral dilemma at the death of the Christian woman, leading him to reflect on his participation in the events surrounding her execution, as well as the integrity of his own faith. There is a sense of disillusionment in his expression and he hesitates to follow the rest of the priests back up into the Colosseum, his augural staff lowered and head bowed.

Upon exhibition, Beneath the Arena received positive reviews from the public, who appreciated its moral message and the themes of suffering, faith, and tolerance that it explored.