Pollice Verso by Jean-Léon Gérôme
Jean-Léon Gérôme’s Pollice Verso (1872) is one of the most iconic paintings depicting ancient Roman gladiatorial combat. The title, meaning “with a turned thumb” in Latin, refers to the debated Roman gesture used to signal a defeated gladiator’s fate.
The painting vividly portrays a victorious gladiator standing over his fallen opponent in the Colosseum, awaiting judgment from the crowd and the emperor. The vestal virgins, clad in white, are prominently seen giving the fateful gesture, while the spectators roar for blood. Gérôme’s masterful use of light, shadow, and historical accuracy brings the brutal spectacle to life, capturing the intensity and drama of the moment.
The painting helped popularize the idea that a thumbs-down gesture meant death for a defeated gladiator, though historical accuracy of this is debated.
Gérôme conducted extensive research to ensure historical accuracy, using Roman artifacts, armor, and architecture as references.
The painting was highly influential in shaping modern depictions of ancient Rome, directly inspiring the look and feel of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000).
Pollice Verso was purchased by American railroad magnate Alexander Turney Stewart and is now housed in the Phoenix Art Museum.
Gérôme’s depiction of gladiators in lavish, highly decorated armor reflects the 19th-century fascination with historical realism in art.
With its dramatic storytelling and meticulous detail, Pollice Verso remains a masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences interested in Roman history, art, and culture.
P.S. Image attribution: Jean-Léon Gérôme, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons