The Dead Caesar c. 1859

"The Dead Caesar" is a pencil drawing created by renowned French Academic painter Jean-Léon Gérôme in 1859. It is a preliminary sketch for Gérôme's more famous oil painting "The Death of Caesar", showcasing his meticulous attention to detail and anatomical accuracy. The drawing depicts a dramatically posed figure lying on a floor, partially obscured by a sheet, evoking the historical event of Caesar's assassination. Gérôme's mastery of light and shadow further enhances the realism of the scene, creating a powerful depiction of death and tragedy.