I first encountered “The Conquerors” by Pierre Fritel in the book Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy (Watchtower, 1999, Page 128). The image that appears in the book is in color, so the publishers might have had access to the original painting as a source.
I have found a non-color image in the book The Library of Historic Characters and Famous Events of All Nations and All Ages (Volume 3, A.R. Spofford, Frank Weitenkampf, and J.P. Lamberton (Editors); Philadelphia: William Finley & Co., 1894).
The Watchtower editors have cropped the image, but if you look at the full image shown below, you will see that the conquerors are actually riding through a field of the dead who have lost their lives so these power-hungry men could seize their empires:
In Library, Spofford and colleagues explain who the characters in the painting are:
In the centre of the van rides Julius Caesar, whom Shakespeare has pronounced “the foremost man of all this world.” On his right are the Egyptian called by the Greeks Sesostris, now known to be Rameses II, Attila, “the Scourge of God,” Hannibal the Carthaginian, and Tamerlane the Tartar. On his left march Napoleon, the last world-conqueror, Alexander of Macedon, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, that “head of gold” in the great image seen in his vision as interpreted by the prophet Daniel, and Charlemagne, who restored the fallen Roman Empire.
This image is a sobering reminder of the harm that has been done during the ages of abusive human rule over the earth.
ARK — 10 May 2009
I would like to learn where the painting The Conquerors by Pierre Fritel now resides. Also would appreciate where a color print (size 8×10″ or smaller) is available for purchase. MS
Mike — Thanks for your comment. I would love to know where the original of “The Conquerors” is. I’ve done some research to try to find out, but haven’t come up with anything. It should be either in a private collection or museum. The only version I have found outside of the “Daniel’s Prophecy” book is in black and white — that was in an out-of-print history book. I would think something larger than 8×10 would be better, as there is a lot of detail. If you ever find out more about this painting, please come back and let us know!
ARK
“The Conquerers” was sold for an undisclosed figure on 24th February 1988 at Sothebys New York.
http://www.artnet.com
Thanks very much for the information about “The Conquerors.” Do you have any information about who the purchaser was? It would be interesting to know who has it — a private collector or institution. I think people would be interested in getting prints, as it is a very striking piece.
ARK
No, can’t help out there. I had more success with searching on the French spelling, “Les Conquérants” and saw the colour version at the address above.
It is fascinating isn’t it. I too would love a print. ba
Yes, searching on “Les Conquerants Fritel” makes more sense — that got me to the Artnet record of the Sotheby’s sale at http://www.artnet.com/Artists/LotDetailPage.aspx?lot_id=16105BEBDC4439D6
Here’s kind of an interesting discussion of the painting: http://ask.metafilter.com/29870/What-is-this-painting
Fantastic! I have been searching for information about this painting for years. I should have looked more closely at the author’s name because I thought it was “Pritel.” I’ve posted my B&W scans here… http://picasaweb.google.com/joseph.canero
Saw your print of the name, Joe. No wonder you were looking for Pritel. Happy hunting
There is an old progressive rock album that has this picture by fritel on the cover-the group is Nirvana.The album is called ‘all of us’- ILPS-9087. I also have the Daniel book.
One of our elders told me the story behind the painting sometime ago.
Is Queen Zenobia shown in her chariot being pulled by the two white horses? v. wilson
Virginia asks if the figure on the far right could be Zenobia. That’s an interesting question — it’s a little hard to tell whether that is a male or female figure. The quotation from The Library of Historic Characters and Famous Events of All Nations and All Ages seems to indicate that that figure is Charlemagne.
Is the painting actually a oil? I have an engraving from the 1800’s that is an engraving.
I’ve always understood The Conquerors to be a painting. Where did your engraving come from? Does it look just like image shown here?
I have a detail for the conquerors which might interest you. The painting was exhibited in the Paris Salon of 1892 and noted by one critic:
« Je voudrais pouvoir penser et dire plus de bien de la toile de M. Fritel, les Conquérants. Je crois en sentir l’intention qui ne manque pas d’une certaine grandeur et d’une certaine Poésie,
mais un peu étranges et un peu macabres. M. Fritel admire et maudit ces grands tueurs d’hommes qui s’appellent Sésostris, Alexandre, César, Napoléon, et qui sèment de cadavres leur chemin de gloire. Il a mis les principaux dans un carré, en forme d’arc de triomphe sans porte, suivis de leurs capitaines; il leur a donné à tous le masque dur et tragique il les a flétris d’une couleur livide qui est comme un premier châtiment. Des deux côtés de la route il a étalé, les pieds en avant, comme dans une Morgue immense, les victimes nues et cadavériques de ces grands assassins. L’impression est assez forte, mais elle est pénible. Sommes-nous donc, jusqu’à un certain point, les complices de ces victorieux et leur pardonnons-nous trop lâchement leur gloire sanglante? Ou bien l’idée de mort et de cadavres dont M. Fritel veut qu’ils soient accompagnés nous semble-t-elle soulignée d’une manière trop mélodramatique par le peintre? M. Fritel est-il un peintre trop philosophe, je ne dis pas plus philosophe que peintre? Peut-être bien. La guerre est atroce, « Henri Chantavoine, « Salon de Champs-Elysée de 1892 », in : La nouvelle Revue, 1892, May to June, page 382.
js – Interesting comment. I get the gist of it, but it would be useful to have an English translation. Anybody?
“I wish I could think and say more good canvas Mr. Fritel, the conquerors. I think I feel the intent is not without a certain size and a certain poetry,
but a little strange and a little macabre. Mr. Fritel admire and cursed the biggest killers of men who are called Sesostris, Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, and sow their corpses path of glory. He put the key in a square-shaped triumphal arch, no door, followed by their captains, he gave them all the hard mask and tragic he has faded a pale color that is as a first punishment . On both sides of the road there was spread, feet first, like a huge morgue, naked and cadaveric these major killers victims. The impression is strong enough, but it is painful. Are we, to some extent, the accomplices of these victorious forgive us and them too loose their bloody glory? Or the idea of death and corpses which Mr. Fritel wants them to be together it seems we highlighted an overly melodramatic way the painter? Mr. Fritel Is a painter too philosophical, I’m not saying that more philosophical painter? Maybe so. War is horrible, “Henry Chantavoine” Show Champs-Elysée in 1892 “, in: The New Review, 1892, May to June, page 382.
Bev — Thanks for submitting this. This looks like a machine translation, but it gives a general idea of what the reviewer was trying to say. Would be great to have a translation from someone who knows both French and English.
I hd given up my search several years ago-pleased to find this info. thanks to all for sharing. more than likely the WTB&TS has access to such art work via sources not avail. to all, possibly Fritels work could be on microfish ?
I understand the painting resides in Perth in Western Australia – private collector
Allan — Thanks for letting us know about that. It’s a fascinating painting.
ARK
Do you mind me asking where you got your info on the Perth location?
Hi Charl from South Africa,
I am the proud owner of a sepia print of The Conquerors by Pierre Fritel,it measurers 104cm.x58cm. and Virginia the figure in front right is without question Karel Der Grosse.The print is absolutely macabre,but breathtakingly beautifull.I was looking for more information on how many prints were made,can anybody help?
I have seen pictures of both the colour version and black and white,personally I find the first more haunting than the last.
If you have any questions with which I can assist feel free to contact me.
If anybody has more information I would love to learn more.
Charl