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Optional - receive your painting ready to hang. Note we are only able to ship framed paintings up to a certain size. Once the maximum size is reached, the framing option is automatically disabled. If ordered without a frame the painting will arrive rolled inside a protective tube with an extra 1.5" white canvas on all sides so you can easily frame it in any local frame shop.
This magnificent piece of Academic Classicism, also known by the name Pollice Verso, meaning “with a turned thumb” in Latin, is one of Gérôme’s most culturally influential paintings, being the main example of the trope it portrays. Now in the permanent exhibition along with the sculpture created as its model at the Phoenix Art Museum, in Arizona, this oil on canvas exemplifies not only the artist’s absolute expertise in realism but his influence on popular culture for years to come, including on popular Hollywood movies.
The foreground of the picture is populated by the aftermath of a violent struggle, out of which the murmillo gladiator, whose arms and armor was meant to represent the style of fighting of the Roman Legionnaire, has come out triumphant. Under the heel of his sandal lies a defeated but still living retiarius gladiator, his net and trident dropped on the floor beside him, and his hand is gesturing towards the audience begging for clemency.
Behind them, the delirious crowd, stacked in the stands and booths of the Colosseum, perform the eponymous gesture, which significance has been since debated by critics. It is clearly a gesture of negation, meaning that they, supposedly, demand that the victorious gladiator to do the opposite of what would be expected. Such gesture has traditionally been interpreted as an order to terminate the loser’s life, but some have stated that such behavior would be the usual and that the crowd is, in fact, asking for the life to be spared.
Observing the spectacle, the Emperor absentmindedly bites on a fig, conscious that the final decision lies in his hands. Even so, the murmillo’s attention still lies on the audience, not the honored attendant, indicating that authority and respect are not synonyms in this context. Regardless of the intent behind the gesture, it is clear that it is expected for the emperor to follow its lead.
With this rather graphic display of violence and barbarism, Gérôme enables his contemporaries to not only enjoy the spectacle of human cruelty but to do so from the moral high ground. The modern observer could, then, allow oneself to both satiate their thirst for violence, but also to feel more civilized than the cradle of Western culture. The varnish of historical accuracy provided by Gérôme’s fame reinforcing the notion that humanity had then reached the peak of its refinement.
Real Oil Paints, Real Brushes, Real Artists, Real Art. The Certificate of Authenticity which arrives with every painting provides an assurance and verifies the authenticity of the hand painted fine art reproduction you purchased. Each oil painting is created by hand using only the finest canvas and oil paints available.
Important Notes About Your Painting:
If you have any request to alter your reproduction of Gladiators,
you must email us after placing your order and we'll have an artist contact you.
If you have another image of Gladiators
that you would like the artist to work from, please include it as an attachment. Otherwise, we will reproduce the above image for you exactly as it is.
Free shipping is included in the price of the painting. Once the painting is ready and dry enough to ship, we will roll it and ship it in a sturdy cardboard tube.
We always ship express via courier to ensure your order reaches you as soon as possible - normally within three business days. The total delivery time from the moment you place your order until the package is delivered to your door is normally between three to four weeks.
If, in the unlikely event you were dissatisfied with the painting after reviewing it in person, it can be returned for a full refund for up to 365 days after delivery.
When you receive the painting; you are free to return it for more revisions or else for a full refund minus our actual shipping cost -- which is, on average, $25 per painting.
1st Art Gallery provides a full warranty covering manufacturing and material defects for paintings purchased from our website. The warranty covers damage for normal use. Damage caused by incidents such as accidents or inappropriate use are not covered.
Depending on the degree of damage to the warranted painting, it will either be repaired or replaced. This warranty service is provided free of charge.
When purchasing a painting on its own, it will arrive rolled inside a secure tube with an extra 1.5" of white canvas on all sides so you can easily frame it in any local frame shop.
You may choose to purchase your painting framed, in which case, it will arrive "ready to hang". We offer more than 20 beautiful models, all hand finished and expertly assembled by our experienced framers.
Note that for safety reasons we can only frame up to a certain size. Once the maximum size is reached the framing option is automatically disabled.
If you are planning to frame your painting yourself,
use an existing frame, or frame it locally, you may choose to order your painting with a stretching service,
meaning that it will arrive mounted on wooden bars.
If you're considering not framing your painting at all, you may opt for a Gallery Wrap. The term Gallery Wrap refers to the way the canvas is stretched, which is by wrapping it around thick stretcher bars, about 1.5 inch thick, with the canvas being secured to the back rather than the sides of those bars.
All orders ship with UPS, FedEx or DHL and will arrive directly to your home or office. A tracking number will be emailed to you as soon as the order leaves our studio so you can track it online. All orders ship express and usually arrive within 4-5 days from the shipping date. Due to shipping restraints, many of our framed, stretched, and oversize paintings may take 6-21 days for arrival depending on the safest route determined by the postal service.