La cacciata del Duca d'Atene

The expulsion of the Duke of Athens was executed by Stefano Ussi around 1854, shortly before Italy's unification in 1860. His choice of subject matter reflects contemporary concerns of the day; as many Italian princes and heads of state were disinstated in order to create a new national unity. Ussi has chosen the expulsion of Walter de Brienne, Duke of Athens from Florence in 1340 in order to draw attention to the parallel situation of Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany, who was forced to abdicate in 1859.

The larger version of this painting was exhibited to great acclaim at the first national exhibition of the newly unified Italy in 1861; it now hangs in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.