“Et tu, Brute?” Shakespeare’s famous line echoes betrayal. It encapsulates a pivotal moment in the life of Julius Caesar. We stand before the Julius Caesar Sculpture. It is not just a statue. It is a portal to a time of emperors and conquests.
This particular Julius Caesar Sculpture resides in the Jardin des Tuileries. The sculpture is by Ambrogio Parisi. Parisi was an Italian artist. He was born around 1676. He died in Rome in 1719. Details about his life are scarce. He also created a statue of Saint Barbara. It is in the Church of Saint Barbara of Librai in Rome.
The Julius Caesar Sculpture is one of two in the Tuileries Gardens. The other statue is by a different artist. Do not confuse them. This statue is “d’apres l’antique”. This means “after the antique”. It is based on an ancient statue from Rome. The original was made of marble between 1688 and 1694.
Look closely. Caesar holds a scroll or baton in his left hand. His right hand holds something that resembles a rock. He wears traditional Roman armor. This is typical of Roman warrior portrayals.
Julius Caesar was a Roman dictator. He lived in the 1st century BC. He was born around 100 BC. He died in 44 BC. He was also a Latin prose author. He wrote about his military campaigns. Much of what we know about him comes from his writings.
This Julius Caesar Sculpture was placed here in 1800. Many believe it is a cast. It might not be the original marble statue. Some “Apres l’Antique” statues are in the Louvre Museum. The Louvre is at the Tuileries Gardens’ eastern end.
Notice the Paris tourist information plaque. It is on the statue’s pedestal. The inventory number is MR 2099. The plaque does not say “Moulage.” Moulage is French for cast.
The Julius Caesar Sculpture is in the Grand Carre area. It stands near the Grand Allee. The Grand Allee leads to the Luxor Obelisk. The Luxor Obelisk is in the Place de la Concorde.
Ambrogio Parisi’s Julius Caesar Sculpture began in 1688. It is based on an ancient statue. The ancient statue was in Rome’s Capitoline Museums. Work continued until 1694. It did not leave Rome until 1715. It was found in the Louvre Museum’s antiquities warehouse in 1800. Then it was placed in the Tuileries Gardens.
This marble statue stands three meters high. It represents a powerful figure. Julius Caesar conquered territories. He crowned himself sole ruler. He was murdered by Senator Brutus. The phrase “Et tu, Brute?” symbolizes betrayal.
Here stands Julius Caesar. He is a reminder of ambition. He is a reminder of power. He is a reminder of betrayal. Take a moment to reflect on his legacy. Consider the echoes of his life. They reverberate through time.