Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The month of roses

The Roses of Heliogabalus
Lawrence Alma Tadema
1888

Tadema was a Dutch painter, famous for his depictions of Roman Empire luxury and decadence.  This painting shows a group of diners at a banquet being smothered by drifts of pink rose petals falling from a false ceiling above. The Roman emperor Elagabalus reclines on a platform behind them, wearing a golden robe and a tiara, watching the spectacle with garlanded guests.  Probably an invented story, but a good one.

Almost every Tadema painting features flowers. He loved Spring.

Spring

Amo te Amo me

Expectations

(Another)  Spring

Spring (detail)

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