A Roman Emperor, AD 41

Why it's great

After the emperor Caligula was killed in AD 41, soldiers found his uncle Claudius hiding behind a curtain and made him emperor. Lawrence Alma-Tadema, who loved Roman history, painted the moment in 1871.

🏛️ Part of history

Imperial Rome & Pompeii (14–180) — After the emperor Caligula was killed in AD 41, soldiers found his uncle Claudius hiding behind a curtain and made him emperor.

Where to see it

📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.

Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 1,658 × 1,350 px · 2.2 megapixels This is the largest scan on Wikimedia Commons, which is fairly small for a big print. The museum that owns it may offer a larger one. File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

Lawrence Alma-Tadema

1836–1912 · born in Dronryp · died in Wiesbaden

Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born in a village in the Netherlands and settled in London, England, in 1870. He became famous for sunny paintings of ancient Rome and Greece, filled with marble, flowers, and sea views. He was knighted and extremely popular during his lifetime. He died in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1912.