Gaius Julius Caesar

Ideas: In 44 B.C. on the Ides of March, Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar was assassinated on the senate floor, betrayed by, amongst at least 60 others, one of his closest friends Marcus Junius Brutus. With daggers hidden beneath their togas, he was attacked after entering the senate chamber. Initially, by Tillius Cimber and before he knew it, he was beset on all sides by drawn blades slicing and stabbing him to death. All in all, he was wounded 23 times {Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (c.70-c.135)} before he fell. Within the flowing robes of the figure of Caesar in this composition you will find 23 daggers representing each wound. You will also find a solitary figure with dagger in hand behind a kneeling Caesar. This scene within the drawing is a representation of Brutus, in a literal and figurative backstabbing position. The Roman numeral of XV identifies the Ides of March (15 March 44 B.C.) the day of the assassination. Throughout the toga you will find scenes of senators killing Caesar with their now un-hidden knives. It is reported that of all the wounds inflicted in this assault, only one was fatal, the second one in his chest. The long black flow of red through the piece represents this wound. Epic concepts and events have always been a main focus of my artwork and I think this may be the most famous and meaningful assassination in the history of man.