The Age of the Pharaohs

Georges Rochegrosse, a French historical and decorative painter, created 'The Age of the Pharaohs' in 1887. Known for his colossal scale and emotional naturalistic style, Rochegrosse often tackled historical themes with a dramatic flair. While many of his famous works, like 'The Emperor Vitellius Dragged through the Streets of Rome by the People' or 'The Death of the Emperor Geta,' explore brutal and sensational subjects, this piece likely showcases his embrace of Orientalism, a prominent movement he was associated with. This painting would have been made relatively early in his career, just a few years after his Paris Salon debut in 1882 and his win of the prestigious Prix du Salon in 1883. Rochegrosse was also an illustrator, and his meticulous attention to detail, even in grand historical scenes, is a hallmark of his work.