The Roses of Heliogabalus
Lawrence Alma-Tadema · 1888
Why it's great
The ancient Roman emperor Heliogabalus is said to have thrown a party where guests were buried beneath a flood of rose petals. Alma-Tadema painted the shower of pink petals falling over the cheerful and doomed party. He studied roses so he could paint them in the correct season. It's celebrated for showing Rome as a world of luxury and drama.
🏛️ Part of history
Imperial Rome & Pompeii (14–180) — A teenage emperor smothers his dinner guests under falling rose petals, a picture of Roman excess.
Where to see it
📍 Museo Soumaya (Pérez Simón Collection)Mexico City, Mexico
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born in a village in the Netherlands and settled in London, England, in 1870. He became famous for sunny paintings of ancient Rome and Greece, filled with marble, flowers, and sea views. He was knighted and extremely popular during his lifetime. He died in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1912.
