HIDDEN FACES
The 2025 Victorian Salon des Refusés
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Cat#2 Jeremy Elkington
Elagabalus - an ancient Roman Emperor Oil on Canvas 91 cm w x 91 h cm NFS Artist’s Statement This portrait is based on a bust of the eccentric and bizarre Roman Emperor, Elagabalus. Reigning for just four years, he was murdered at age 18. Most of the various images encircling the portrait are segments from the painting. “The Roses of Heliogabalus” by the artists Lawrence Alma Tadea (Heliogabaalus being another name Elagabalus is know by). These various images allude to the depraved, strange and hedonistic lifestyle attributed to this figure. The rose petals link to the story or Elagabalus suffocating to death a number of banquet guests by having huge volumes of flowers dropped from the ceiling. |