 This is a passionate, anarchical, and emotional painting that is a riot of excess, eroticism, and sadism. It could be called one of the most romantic paintings of the Romantic epoch; when it was first exhibited it produced a frisson of admiration mixed with horror at the barbarism of the image. The painting shows King Sardanapalus whose empire was being ravaged by the Medes, apparently unconcerned that his life, time, and empire have come to a crushing end. When you look at this work you can almost hear the clash of battle, smell the smoke and hear the cries of those about to die. It's Byron come to life on canvas.
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