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Scene from the Wedding of Messalina and Gaius Sillius
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Scene from the Wedding of Messalina and Gaius Sillius

Nicolaes Knupfer · c. 1645 - c. 1650 · panel; oil paint (paint)

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The promiscuous Messalina, the bare-breasted woman in the centre, was the wife of Emperor Claudius. She committed adultery by marrying Sillius and they organized an inordinately lavish banquet to celebrate their wedding. The group peering out the window is on to something; Emperor Claudius is approaching the palace to put an end to the infidelity, drinking and merrymaking. Messalina’s frenzied greed ultimately led to her downfall.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
paintingvineMessalina in the brothelcarousal, drinking-bout, orgy
Credit lineScene from the Wedding of Messalina and Gaius Sillius. c. 1645 - c. 1650. Nicolaes Knupfer. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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