An Allegory Of Victory 

Jules Joseph Lefebvre painted this “Allegory of Victory,” a portrait imbued with symbols of triumph and purity. Note the laurel wreath crowning the subject, a classical motif signifying victory and honor, echoing ancient traditions where victors and heroes were adorned with laurel. Observe, too, the lily she delicately holds. In a shift from pagan to Christian symbolism, the lily represents purity, innocence, and resurrection, often associated with the Virgin Mary. This flower, however, has an earlier connection to the tale of Juno and Jupiter, when the goddess spills her breast milk across the heavens to form the Milky Way, and where the drops that fall to Earth become lilies. The lily, like many symbols, carries this dual resonance, embodying both sacred and profane, victory and purity. This cyclical progression reflects how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different contexts.