Allegory of the Foundation of Rome

1670 · Private collection

mythological

This work is a rare interpretation of Rome's founding; most depictions focus solely on Romulus and Remus, while this complex composition focuses on Victory crowning Bellona (or Minerva), the Roman goddess of war. The helmeted divinity - serious, aloof, and of masculine beauty - sits enthroned in her chariot amidst the accoutrements of battle, including standards, trophies, and conquered adversaries. In her right hand, she holds a Victoriola, a small cult statute of Victory.

About the Artist

Bertholet Flémal

1614 – 1675

Franco-Flemish painter and architect. He was born into a family of artists, and his first apprenticeship was probably in Liège with his father, Renier Flémal (b 1585), a painter of stained glass. Bertholet was later a pupil of Henri Trippet (c. 1600–74) before completing his training during the 1630s with Gérard Douffet. In 1638 Flémal went to Rome and on the return journey visited Florence and stayed for some time in Paris. He had returned to Liège by 1646. Flémal had a successful career there, painting for private collectors, but he was also commissioned to work for the many religious establishments. His patron was Canon Lambert de Liverloo, Chancellor to the Prince-Bishop of Liège. In addition, Flémal made designs for religious buildings and fittings as well as for his own house, but none of this architectural work has survived. In 1670 he was at the peak of his career. He was painter to the Prince-Bishop, Maximilian-Henry of Bavaria, and for Louis XIV of France he painted an allegory, Religion Protecting France (1670; destroyed 1871), for the ceiling of the audience chamber at the Tuileries, Paris. In the same year he was appointed Professor at the Académie Royale in Paris. The Prince-Bishop made him a canonical prebendary of the collegiate church of St Paul at Liège.

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