"The Triumph of Caesar" Born in 1452 Mantegna is known as a pioneer of the Italian Renaissance. His work is marked with a nobility of sentiment and force and a sophistication of form and expression remarkable for this time. During the rule of Federigo from 1478, Mantegna was in the zenith of his popularity. Upon Federigo's death, his son Francesco ascended to the throne and continued the patronage of Mantegna. It was at this time that the series of the Triumph of Caesar was began. In 1501, six of the nine canvases were used as backdrops in the Castello Theatre for a performance of Adelphi by Terence. In 1506 they were removed and placed in the Marquis' Palace of Saint Sebastiano. They were subsequently purchased by Daniel Nys, agent to Charles I and since their arrival in England around the 1630s, they have hung in Hampton Court Palace.