Fedor Bruni was a Russian artist of Italian origin. He studied at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, and continued his studies in Italy upon his graduation in 1818. It was in Rome where Bruni painted his first big work — Death of Camilla, Sister of Horatius.
Death of Camilla, Sister of Horatius
Creation period
1824
Dimensions
350x526,5 cm
Technique
Oil on canvas
Collection
Exhibition
22
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Fyodor Bruni
Death of Camilla, Sister of Horatius
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Fyodor Bruni took this scene from an antique legend. For a long time Rome was at war with the city of Alba Longa. The fate of this longstanding feud was to be determined in the fight between the three brothers Horatii — from the side of Rome, and three brothers Curiatii — from Alba Longa. Returning to Rome, the victorious survivor Horatius sees his sister Camilla mourning the death of her fiancé, one of Curiatii. Enraged, her brother kills her.
Initially the artist named the painting Triumph of Horatius, however, his contemporaries renamed it to Death of Camilla, Sister of Horatius. The actions of the character did not amuse the audience, but rather terrified them. They felt compassion towards Camilla, same as other characters on the canvas: according to the legend Horatius was sentenced to death for the murder of his sister.
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Due to the classic composition, hard light and abstract background all the characters seem to be standing on stage of an ancient theatre. Dignified gestures and smooth folds of clothing reinforce this impression. The figures of the main characters are highlighted with colour: bright red is the colour of the winner, whereas the white is the colour of the victim.
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Dramatic plot about Horatii and Curiatii was fancied by many neoclassical artists. Death of Camilla, Sister of Horatius echoes Oath of the Horatii by a French artist Jacque-Luis David. There are certain similarities in both composition and colour grade.
Jacque-Luis David (1748-1825). Oath of the Horatii. Oil on canvas. 1784. Louvre
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The first display of the painting made Bruni famous. The audience and critics appreciated his exemplary technique, as well as his talent for composition. For this work, the 25-year-old artist was voted in as an honorary member of the Academy of St. Luke in Rome. In Russia he was awarded the Order and was also given the title of academician.
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The painting depicting an antique plot was ordered by Duke Ivan Boratynsky, it was kept in his estate from 1824 to 1833. In 1834, the work was bought by the Academy of Arts and in 1897 it was given to the Russian Museum.
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State Russian Museum
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Death of Camilla, Sister of Horatius
Creation period
1824
Dimensions
350x526,5 cm
Technique
Oil on canvas
Collection
Exhibition
22
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