The Forum of Julius Caesar - Art

In the temple of Venus Genetrix, there was a gilded statue of Cleopatra, believed to be Julius Caesar's one-time lover. She is, however, more famous for her later lover Marc Antony- and the subsequent war with Augustus, Caesar's heir. This statue is credited for the trend of dedications to notable women within the district. According to Dio, the statue was next to Venus herself. The current location of the statue is unknown and historical accounts are in some dispute on the matter. As such, the picture I've included below is not the statue that would have been in the temple, but simply a black basalt statue of Cleopatra to give at least some idea of what it may have looked like.

Also within the temple were two paintings by the influential Timomachus; a painting of Medea and a painting of Ajax. Both figures are prominant within Greek mythology- Ajax within the context of the Battle of Troy and Medea for her power as a sorceress and murderess of her own children in the name of vengeance. Both of these paintings were acquired by Caesar for 80 talents and were sadly later lost in the fire under Titus in 80AD. Included below is instead a fresco of Medea found in Pompeii that's believed to have been influenced by Timomachus

There were also six collections of engraved gems, whose origins were unknown but usually believed to be due to some victory of Caesar's. Additionally with similar believed origins was a thorax, decorated with a British pearl. 

On the podium of the temple was a fountain with a statue of a group of nymphs; specicially, the Appiades. 

[for more information on the history of the Forum of Julius Caesar, please click here. To see the sources for the above information, please click here.]