Jean Leon Gérôme - With a Turned Thumb (Pollice Verso)
Depicting the dramatic climax of a gladiator bout- where the defeated fighter lies on the floor, begging for mercy, and the victorious gladiator looks up to the crowds, to be given instruction as to whether to spare his opponents life, or finish it - this painting by Jean Leon Gérôme is Academic art at it’s very best.
The “turned thumb” gesture in this c…
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