Jean-Léon Gérôme inspires Gladiator

Did you know that the film "Gladiator" was inspired by a painting called “Pollice Verso” by Jean-Léon Gérôme.

I never knew that fact until I read the article below from Variety published last May 4, 2020 entitled,‘Gladiator’ at 20: Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott Look Back on the Groundbreaking Historical Epic." Has it been 20 years already? Guess, watching the film often on HBO makes 20 years even shorter. 

Now, let us get to know the man who helped shape the presence of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix in the film 20 years ago.

Gérôme was a French painter who was born May 10, 1824. He was also a sculptor and a teacher. Many of his paintings revolved around themes of classical, Greek mythology, religion and orientalist. Below is The Age of Augustus, the Birth of Christ, which was commissioned by Napoleon who saw himself as Augustus.