The Fiancée of Belus

The Fiancée of Belus (French: La fiancée de Bélus) is a painting by French artist Henri-Paul Motte based on a fanciful Babylonian ritual associated with deity Belus (Bel). According to that ritual, Bel was offered a girl who sat on the lap of the Bel's statue overnight, and then was replaced by another, all of whom were the winners of daily beauty contests.[1] Motte cited as a reference the Greek historian Herodotus, but the related quote was later found to be invented.[1] The Fiancee of Belus features oversized, Academic style, while the foreground shows blood spattered by the brush.[2] To restore the interior of the Babylonian temple, Motte copied the Greek temple in Olympia, while the sculpture is inspired by lamassu.[1]

The Fiancee of Belus
ArtistHenri-Paul Motte
Year1885
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions178 cm × 122 cm (70 in × 48 in)
LocationMusée d'Orsay, Paris

In 2013, the painting was acquired by the Musée d'Orsay where it is presently kept. It was previously housed in Galerie Vincent Lecuyer, near Musée d’Orsay and was exhibited in Brussels at BRAFA Art Fair and PAD fair in Paris.[2]

References
  1. "Interview de Côme Fabre : deux toiles insolites entrent au Musée d'Orsay" (in French). Louise Blouin Media. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  2. "Musee D'Orsay Curator Tackles the Ultimate Taboo: Academic Art". Louise Blouin Media. 15 Aug 2013. Retrieved 17 Dec 2015.
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