Coriolanus, dressed in a red robe, stands at the center of this painting surrounded by his grieving family. The 5th-century BCE general was exiled from Rome after trying to strip the commoners of their recently won rights. Girodet paints Coriolanus’s farewell in a severe style that matches the general’s stoic attitude in the face of personal tragedy. Coriolanus later joined Rome’s enemies and nearly captured the city. Girodet was only 18 years old when he submitted this painting for the Grand Prix de Peinture, a prestigious French art prize awarded for depicting a significant moment from history or literature. Despite his strong entry, politics in the art world prevented Girodet from winning.
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