The artwork titled “Pizarro Seizing the Inca of Peru” was created by John Everett Millais in 1846. This oil on canvas painting, belonging to the Romanticism movement and classified under the genre of history painting, currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork vividly captures a dramatic historical event, depicting the moment when Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro seizes the Incan emperor amid a chaotic scene. The painting is rich with intense emotions and movement, portraying Pizarro, surrounded by his men, asserting dominance over the Inca who is centrally positioned, draped in regal attire. The composition is filled with dynamic interactions, showing various figures in states of alarm, confrontation, and despair, effectively conveying the tumultuous and violent nature of the event. Millais’ use of light and shadow accentuates the central figures, highlighting the dramatic confrontation and the gravity of the historical altercation.
