FUNGAI, BERNARDINO

SCIPIO AFRICANUS ACCEPTING THE SURRENDER OF KING SYPHAX

Forms a pair with The Magnanimity of Scipio from the Hermitage. It was thought in the past that both served as front panels of a cassone (dowry chest). Yet, in view of their size, it is more probable that they formed part of a series of spallieri (wall panels).

Three episodes from the history of the Roman military leader Scipio Africanus Major (c.235-183 B.C.): in an alliance with the King of East Numidia, Masinissa, in 203 B.C. he vanquished the king of West Numidia, Syphax.

Provenance: acquired by F.K.Russov (St. Petersburg) for the Hermitage in 1902; transferred to the Pushkin Museum in 1930.