Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia

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Harrison W. Mark
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Virgil reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia, oil on canvas painting by Jean-Joseph Taillasson, 1787.

The Roman poet Virgil reads the Aeneid to Augustus and his sister Octavia Minor. Octavia is shown fainting after Virgil references her recently deceased son Marcellus as a hero Aeneas meets in the underworld.

The National Gallery, London.

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Cite This Work

APA Style

Taillasson, J. (2026, January 29). Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21544/virgil-reading-the-aeneid-to-augustus-and-octavia/

Chicago Style

Taillasson, Jean-Joseph. "Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia." World History Encyclopedia, January 29, 2026. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21544/virgil-reading-the-aeneid-to-augustus-and-octavia/.

MLA Style

Taillasson, Jean-Joseph. "Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia." World History Encyclopedia, 29 Jan 2026, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21544/virgil-reading-the-aeneid-to-augustus-and-octavia/.

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