Plafondschildering in de Grande Galerie van Versailles met de godin Bellona 1752

Nicolas Gabriel Dupuis made this print of the ceiling painting in the Grande Galerie of Versailles, depicting the goddess Bellona, sometime in the 18th century. As you look at the piece, think about the context of absolutist France, a society built on rigid social hierarchies. Versailles was, in many ways, the theatre of the French court, a place where power was not only exerted but also performed. Dupuis’ image of Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, needs to be seen within this context of performance. Bellona is not merely a symbol of military might; she is an embodiment of the values prized by the French aristocracy. The goddess in her chariot can be understood as an idealized representation of the ruling class, a celebration of their perceived right to dominance and authority. What feelings does the image conjure up for you? While the scene depicts a powerful ruler, one can not help but think about the violence that comes with war and how that impacts the broader population.