Death of Cato 1785 - 1799

Berardino Gentile created this tin-glazed earthenware plaque depicting the death of Cato, an iconic figure of Roman virtue, sometime between 1727 and 1813. This piece reflects the 18th-century fascination with classical antiquity, but it's also interesting to consider how gender and class dynamics are portrayed here. The scene is heavy with the emotional displays of Cato’s male attendants, grief amplified by their active engagement with his body. This contrasts with the more subdued reaction of the women present. They illustrate conventional depictions of emotion and stoicism expected from men and women during this period. Cato’s death was viewed as a political act of resistance against tyranny, a theme that resonated deeply in an era of revolution and shifting social structures. Ultimately, the scene asks us to reflect on the performance of masculinity and patriotism, and how these ideals were constructed and challenged in the crucible of political change.