Falardeau, Antoine Sébastien, after Cassana, Niccolo (1856) - The Conspiracy of Catiline [Oil on canvas] ©Government of Ontario Art Collection, Archives of Ontario
Canadian-born artist Antoine Sébastien Falardeau moved to Florence, Italy in the 1840s and became one of the most renowned copyists of his time.
The Conspiracy of Catiline was created in 1856 and was painted after Venetian artist Niccolo Cassana (1659-1714). It depicts Lucius Sergius Catiline who orchestrated an anti-government uprising against the Roman Empire which was easily crushed by Cicero in 63 BC.
The scene shows Catiline making an oath with one of his compatriots regarding his plot to overthrow the government. Paintings such as these were intended to provide moral lessons for their audiences. In this case, Catline’s actions were used as an example of reckless ambition.