Italian School, late 18th century

Probably in the collection of the Duques de Palmela, Lisbon;

Dom Alexandre de Sousa e Holstein Beck, Visconde de Lançada (1934-2014);

Thence by descent to the present owner.

An inscription on the back of the painting – perhaps a transcription of what was originally on the reverse of the unlined canvas – states: ‘Joe P. Campiglia fecit anno 1’. This suggests the painting's author may have been an artist working in Italy during the establishment of the new Napoleonic calendar in 1792. Although no artist’s name has been found to correspond with this exactly, a Giovanni Campigli, who is known to have signed his name on a drawing as ‘Joseph Campiglj’ is recorded in Berlin just over a decade before this and may have painted this. In terms of technique, the ground is consistent with Italian paintings on canvas of this date. The picture may have been acquired by Alexandre de Sousa Holstein (1751-1803) when he was Portuguese ambassador in Rome around 1800.

The subject of this painting remains unclear. It would appear to represent either a religious or a historical theme. The man sitting on the cathedra wields his judgemental power over the man in the foreground, who seems to have been arrested as a result, and is led away in the background. Possible subjects might be: Emperor Octavian having Lepidus arrested - Octavius, Lepidus and Antony were members of the second Roman triumvirate, which resulted in Octavius claiming full power for himself and having Lepidus arrested on charges of neglect; or Saints Chrysanthus and Daria, who were both arrested by Emperor Claudius after being found preaching Christian values to the Roman people.