The Roses of Heliogabalus

Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Painted

1888

Collection

Private collection

The Roman emperor Heliogabalus is said to have released a canopy of rose petals on his guests until they suffocated. Alma-Tadema had roses sent from the Riviera every week through the winter to paint each petal, and polished marble and silk were his speciality. Cruelty hidden in splendour: a signature work of the Victorian age.

Object record (Wikimedia Commons) · Public domain

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