Since this blog started, we have been featuring paintings by John William Godward. We are now turning our attention to Lawrence Alma-Tadema to whom Godward was an important protégé.

No.6

THE ROSES OF HELIOGABALUS

1888

Lawrence Alma-Tadema

1836-1912

The painting depicts the young Roman emperor Elagabalus (203–222 AD) hosting a banquet. At the time the artist was working on the painting, roses were out of season in the UK and it was said that he had to have rose petals sent from the south of France each week during the four months in which it was painted.

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