Alma-Tadema's 'The Roses of Heliogabalus': Victorian Morality Meets Roman Decadence
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema's 1888 painting 'The Roses of Heliogabalus' depicts the Roman emperor's infamous party where guests were suffocated by flower petals. The work, commissioned by Sir John Aird for 4,000 GBP (approx. 150,000 USD in 2020), was exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition of 1888. Alma-Tadema substituted violets from the original Historia Augusta account with roses, which in Victorian floriography symbolized lust. The painting reflects Victorian fascination with Roman history and moral allegory. After Alma-Tadema's death in 1912, his Academic style fell from favor until a reevaluation began in the 1960s. The painting remains in a private collection.
Key facts
- Painted by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema in 1888.
- Depicts Emperor Heliogabalus (ruled 218–222 CE) smothering guests with flower petals.
- Based on Historia Augusta account, but uses roses instead of violets for Victorian symbolism.
- Commissioned by Sir John Aird, 1st Baronet, for 4,000 GBP.
- Exhibited at Royal Academy Summer Exhibition of 1888.
- Alma-Tadema died in 1912; his style fell out of favor until the 1960s.
- Painting is in a private collection.
- Roses represented lust in Victorian floriography.
Entities
Artists
- Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Institutions
- Royal Academy
- Historia Augusta
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- British Empire