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Artist: Jacques Sablet (1749–1803)
Swiss painter
Work location: France, Italy
Title: The Self-sacrifice of a father
Object type: Painting
Description: This is an illustration of the anecdote about a poor father who, for some money, allows himself to be bled by a surgeon who needs practice. He uses the money to buy bread for his family, with the blood still running from his arms. Although the subject is contemporary, it is imbued with the same morality that characterised the portrayal of classical scenes. Like the Roman heroes in 18th century classicism, the father appears as an exemplum virtutis – a moral paragon for his time.
Date: Unknown date
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: Height: 99 cm (39 in). Width: 136 cm (53.5 in).
Framed: Height: 126 cm (49.6 in). Width: 163 cm (64.2 in). Depth: 11 cm (4.3 in).
SKU: 272800
