The Borgia
Artist
Sir William Quiller Orchardson
(Edinburgh, Scotland, 1832 - 1910)
Date1902
Mediumoil on canvas
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: 157.4 × 124.8cm
Frame Size: 204.2 × 172.6 × 11.5cm
Weight: 63.5kg
Frame Size: 204.2 × 172.6 × 11.5cm
Weight: 63.5kg
AcquisitionPurchased in 1927 with income from the Macdonald Bequest.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG004500
About MeThe Borgias were an Italian noble family of Spanish origin, notorious for their corrupt rule of the Papacy during the Renaissance. The patriarch of the family, Rodrigo was elected Pope Alexander VI. Among the many accusations against the Borgias in their pursuit of wealth and political power, was murder by poisoning guests at their table. Orchardson's painting is set on the balcony of the Borgias' palace, from a sketch made by the artist on the spot. The Borgia seated at the head of the table, with his elbow resting on the arm of the chair, gazes with an inscrutable look of sinister indifference at the other figure, which has fallen forward in an attitude of deadly collapse.
