Belisarius Begging for Alms
Jacques-Louis David · 1781
Why it's great
Belisarius, the great general of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, is said in a legend to have ended his life blind and begging, and here a soldier who once served under him recognizes him. Jacques-Louis David painted it in 1781, and it made him famous.
🏛️ Part of history
Byzantium & the Fall of Constantinople (527–1453) — Belisarius, the great general of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, is said in a legend to have ended his life blind and begging, and here a soldier who once served under him recognizes him.
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
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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.
Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris and became the greatest painter of the Neoclassical style, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. He supported the French Revolution and later became Napoleon's official painter. After Napoleon fell, he was forced into exile and spent his last years in Brussels, Belgium. He taught many famous students and shaped French art for generations.
