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*What exactly led you to imagine all the **_rose petal_** "death" and "massacre"?* The lower guests may be "suffocating" in the atmosphere of the party, or more exactly, the Host, but the rest seems unclear. No doubt, as Roman emperors seem wont to do, they might very well be executed at a later time for specious reasons, but _the rose petals don't seem to be actually nor figuratively doing that here._
That's what I'm wondering! Like was the painting just made up based off of the dude's humor but it didn't actually happen, or did people really somehow get suffocated by rose petals??? You would have to use an insane and dense amount of rose petals to suffocate them before they could just... move away or stand up
Symbolism/metaphor. You can paint things any way you want, not always subject to realistic physics. People in the painting are dying by the emperor's over the top-ness and sense of humor.
A massive deluge of rose petals would very quickly find their way into your airway, especially if you're laying down. Imagine if you were in bed, when unexpectedly your room became completely full of confetti. You'd breathe in quite a lot of it before you realized what was going on. At that point, it's probably too late for you. But, because it's a painting, he wanted to show their faces unobscured. It's art. Let it go, dude.
Gods, no. I've never wanted to get into that painting even for a second. It's a horror story. By the way, Heliogabalus isn't lying down because he's chill. He's lying down because he's EATING. Romans reclined during meals, thus the cup in his hand. It sounds weird, but they believed it was the best position for digestion.
Actually, lying down in that position is somewhat bad, I believe it can mess up a bit with your stomach if you eat too much, by too much, I mean half the things the roman emperors ate back then. Hence, I think it may be bad, I'm no doctor though, so correct me if I'm wrong
@@potatostar18 you are probably right, I remember hearing that they used to throw up so they could eat more probably given by that position and the amount of food they were given
@@jess1380 No, that's a myth. They didn't throw up so they could eat more. Why would they do that? It's the kind of thing that got said about the Romans later, but there's no evidence that it's true. Just like the "vomitorium", which was supposedly a room to go vomit in, but was REALLY the hallway that wrapped around a stadium, which would lead people out of the arena. It had nothing to do with throwing up, just like the silly rumor that Romans used to vomit their food is a silly rumor. People like to make stuff up, especially about the people they took over from. It justifies their position of power to make the formerly powerful look stupid.
A lot of folks not understanding how rose petals could smother folks. Here’s how: 1) It wasn’t a sheet that held the petals, as per the painting. It was a fake ceiling where the panels could slide back. Nero was the mastermind of the design and he would drop petals, let in rain, stargaze, spray or drizzle perfume, etc. The ceiling itself was reportedly made from “fretted ivory” (Suetonius) so could hold hundreds or thousands of pounds of petals. I imagine Heliogabalus got bored and one night decided to truly put on a macabre spectacle. Sick kid. 2) The folks below were having an orgy and part were entertainers, part were temple prostitutes. Neither were of consequence to Heliogabalus and easily expendable. These types of orgies were both entertainment for the Emperor and a ritual for Bachuus, the god of wine and utter excess - indulgence, revelry, folly, and wild passion. Hence, everyone was inebriated with some of passed out (those already buried). As well, it wasn’t uncommon for larger folks who passed out to pin down others beneath them. I hope this helps explain it.
The painting doesn’t depict that well then. “Hundreds of thousands of pounds “ coming down all at once makes sense, but the painting depicts a nice calm breeze of petals flying in, and the people who are somewhat submerged could easily get up and brush themselves off..
@@sophritoh You're thinking too literally and rational. Art is a creative vehicle. The beauty of this piece comes from the innocuous first glance. The point was, the massacre was supposed to be hidden in plain sight (with gentle undertones contrasting that dark fact). How would someone paint intimidating pounds of petals, and why would they do that? For realism? That's too on the nose, with no subtlety. Remember that art is presented to others, owned by the rich. It needed to be tactful. This piece kept it a slight secret for those in the know. Honestly, it's just symbolic.
Very entertaining and interesting! Another plot twist in a seemingly innocent painting. Definietly didn't expect that. Also a nice and fun little history lesson. Loved it!
As improbable as the scenario in the painting is, the fact someone committed to drawing so many rose petals, and they all look so realistic is good, is wild
I don't understand how they were suffocated by rose petals unless they were buried alive under them. Unless they were drunk or otherwise drugged, the party victims in the painting could've moved away.
have you ever had a flower fall on your head? I did a few years ago - almost went to the emergency room (but didn't because I couldn't bring myself to spend the money). I am still recovering in some ways.
The artist is not depicting a real event - it's depicting an urban legend that was likely false (that too many rose petals were released from a false ceiling and accidentally smothered party guests) and there's a 99.9999% chance this tale was invented. The reason it looks so improbable in the painting is because it's depicting a scenerio that probably could not happen in reality.
This is why we need channels like this though, to break down the intent, metaphors, symbolism, perspective and innuendo to the masses. Aside from good art schools, people don't know _how_ to look at art and design beyond an aesthetic way. Even some college kids don't know how to create art that's meaningful, provocative and deliberate, not just regurgitate anime and cartoons. They don't know the elements and principles of art, or the difference between a critique and criticism; so even they won't know how to consume classical art beyond "it looks cool but not realistic"🤦🙄. If many artists can't consume classical art in intellectual ways, regular people are even less likely to know 🙄😓
thanks for this. throughout the whole video, i was sitting here wondering, can you really smother people with a bunch of rose petals like that? just doesn't seem like something that would work, they're just too light.
I thought the man sitting at the middle of the table, wearing the laurel wreath, was Dionysus/Bacchus. I wonder who it actually was supposed to be? It’s very interesting that the people being smothered in the roses do not look upset. Most of them look calm or they are even smiling slightly as if in a dream. They do not look terrified or even slightly miffed. Honestly, there are not enough rose petals to suffocate them. They could just stand up.
there is an old story that, back in roman times, roses' fragrance actually was strong enough to render people unconscious. considering the copious amounts of wine the romans drank at their "bachanaleas" it might have had a synergistic effect.
The video is nice and all, but I would have appreciated it more if you had described WHY the painting has a disturbing plot twist rather than what Heliogabalas was as a person.
Why people do horrible things is always most intriguing, but, since this was eons ago, it is amazing that any of the tale has survived at all. If true/not symbolic, and you want a reason, chalk it up to sociopathy. and affluenza.
Agreed. She left out a lot of the symbolism. One of the people in the roses is holding a pomegranate, symbol of Proserpina/Persephone, i.e. Queen of the Dead. The figure in the background playing that double flute? That's the instrument of the psychopomp Triptolemus, who would play it as he escorts you to your death. These two are also part of the Eleusinian Mysteries, which is an interesting choice for the artist to make.
What terrific insight into the art world- at least to this novice. I so appreciate the exposure to these pieces of art I would never had exposure to. It is well done and so well constructed. My exposure to the art world and what I've understood shows how little I know. Can't thank you enough for expanding my horizons
found your videos sometime last week, was disappointed there wasnt more! went through all of them in a single day. incredibly amusing and informative at the same time, my old art history class wouldve loved these!!
Alma-Tadema depicts Elagabalus smothering his unsuspecting guests with rose petals released from a false ceiling. The original reference is this: Oppressit in tricliniis versatilibus parasitos suos violis et floribus, sic ut animam aliqui efflaverint, cum erepere ad summum non possent.[3] In a banqueting-room with a reversible ceiling he once buried his guests in violets and other flowers, so that some were actually smothered to death, being unable to crawl out to the top.[4]
@@pepamicro Astr*World november 5th 2021, texas. a panic caused a huge crowd surge and people were unable to escape for over an hour. 8 perished that night. think about the parents whos anguish was on the news @Jeff “violets” was a general term for many flowers at that time.
Hey, just wanted to say we've really been enjoying this art series as a family around the table. Taking turns to share our impressions of a piece with one another first, then after inviting you into our conversation we get the chance to go around again. Your videos have provided us an opportunity for sharing an immersive experience with art. Thanks for this! We hope you continue this very enjoyable series for a long while to come :)
I agree, but i also think that it is a part of the illusion, so that it would seem perfectly normal at a first glance. But yeah i was also sort of confused when it came to the details about the people drowning in rose petals, overall not sure if i can imagine that.
Banqueting guests are not “seated”. They recline. Usually, on their sides, propped by one arm.nine was the ideal number for a Roman banquet, and each person had a couch.
just the fact that a very education video about these artist, their lives and what went behind these paintings has a touch of spicy editing in all the right places is so impressive to me. I applaud your style and can't wait for more videos. I just fouind you but im binging everything today.
I love your channel. You pick the most intriguing pieces. From the one of hummingbirds to these roses and everything between and abroad. Always insightful and humorous. I greatly appreciate your passion in art history.
That is actually not a bad likeness of Elagabalus. I imagine Alma-Tadema made the museum rounds often for his work, maybe visited classical excavations. I shall have to read up on him.
He was born in a village called Dronrijp, which is a 15 minute drive from where I live. When he was two the family moved to nearby Leeuwarden. His education included Greek and Latin as well as art. He studied early Dutch and Flemish art at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. I saw this painting at an exhibition of his work in the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden a few years ago.
@@kellydalstok8900 Before turning to classical subjects Alma Tadema did a whole lot of paintings based on events in the Merovingian Frankish kingdom - the area that later became France /Germany, Netherlands etcetera but these paintings are not as famous!
@@amazingtheatre1262 Heliogabalus was a Syrian Arab from the Syrian city of Emesa - I think he looks Arab in the Alma Tadema portrait -his name illah el gebal -means god of the mountain.
I'm in my late 50's, and love art and history...and believe that, no matter your age, you should always cultivate a love of learning. Your videos are one of the ways that I continue to educate myself. You remind me of my favourite teachers, the ones who clearly had a love for their subject, which allowed them to really bring their subject alive, to teach with humour, and make their classes interesting (even if it was a subject I wasn't normally interested in). I've always had a fascination for history, and the worst teacher I ever had was a HS history teacher, who made the subject so dry and boring that I actually fell asleep in his class once...I barely passed that class. One of the best teachers I ever had was a HS geography teacher (definitely not one of my favourite subjects), who made his lessons so engaging and interactive that I loved his class, looked forward to it every day, and excelled in it. If you're not a teacher...you should be.
His successor Severus Alexander was 14 when made emperor and he was one of the better emperors of Rome; he was smart, prudent, and tried his best to be the polar opposite of his debauched cousin. Another example was Gordian iii, who was 13 when he was made emperor, and he was basically the same as Severus Alexander, as he tried to calm Rome down after some very turbulent civil wars. So really it depends greatly on the person rather than age.
OMG! I love this painting and never saw it the way you described it. it all makes sense though. I really admired the painting for Tadema's painting skills. Story aside, it's still one amazing painting.
There seems to be so much duality in paintings like this. It is so incredibly impressive to hear every single noticeable part of this painting broken down the way you have. This ruler reminds me so much of Marquise de Sade. A lot of the things that made up his ruling style and personality seem to adhere to some of the disgusting styles of living The Marquise was known for as well as the dark humor he was infamous for having as well.
This is my favourite painting! I absolutely love storytelling how it has this sinister behind-the-painting story despite looking just chill and stuffies.
I'm not quite sure why youtube has started to show your videos in my feed, but thank fuck it did. saw your log woman video, the last one as well, and the one about the woman whose painting ruined her, and so far everything has been so interesting and entertaining. thank you!
An algorithm, thankfully, pointed us in this direction…one of the few times I didn’t mind being manipulated. I am thoroughly fascinated by her presentations.
As a student currently studying ancient history, I have literally just stopped believing half of what I read about the crazy things some of the emperors did. I genuinely think that so much of the dramatic stories we hear was made up as propaganda to smear or enhance someone’s image. That being said the Romans were actually super weird so maybe it’s all true but for their own sake I hope not lol
I saw this painting at the Musée Jacquemart André in Paris a few years back, and it is absolutely stunning. It's big, the colours are so rich and vibrant, really something to remember ! I had no idea there was such a dark story behind it, though.
Just saw this panting in Munich today. I was instantly reminded of this video. The painting is absolutely amazing. The details, the colours and the tecnique overall. I love it!
7:33 “Granny can bring you up, and she can bring you down just as well” has the same energy as “I brought you into this world, and I will take you out of it!”😂
Even by Roman standards he was a nut. Of note he was killed by the soldiery on Mars field at the same time the men proclaimed Severus Alexander as the new emperor.
There's not a single Roman emperor that wasn't mad as a box of frogs, and extremely debauched in some way. This is what happens when your family tree doesn't fork.
Honestly, I was so excited to see that you had another upload! I know you haven't done a lot of these kinds of videos, but these are just so fascinating to watch. You bring a humor to art critiquing (is that what this is called? Art analyzing? Art theorizing?) I didn't know was possible, and puts a fresh perspective on the art in question. I'm always fascinated by art critics and the way they analyze a piece of art, it's like an art form in an of itself, but I just get bored after a while listening to the usual ones I find. You manage to really dig into the history and lore of a painting, while also exploring it. Really, thank you for reigniting my passion for art!
I cannot keep my eyes off the man in grene to the right, I find him so in contrast to the rest. While the others comes off "cartoonish", some with a bit wierd proportions, he seems super realistic, and he has a lot more feature details: just look at his braided hair, the beard the details of the ear. His head fits with his body and also he is the only light-blonde person on the painting aside from perhaps the woman with the flute. It is almost like he was added later.... like decades later. I wonder why he got all the "detail love" and got to stand out like that.
There's a really interesting painting called Anguish. It might take you awhile to find it but its a painting of a dead baby lamb with her mother sheep protecting her from the crows. You can really see the sadness in her eyes. It would be really cool if you could make a video on this :)
If I saw this painting and didn’t know the truth about what’s happening in it, I would’ve guessed that someone invited their friends over to a party. Also, it looks soooo much fun! If I didn’t know any better I would’ve happily dove in and swam in the petals.... and then I would die. Welp, Worth it!
I recently discovered your channel and honestly the way you narrate your videos is very dynamic and fun and I like that. You make art history fun and easy to listen to!! 😊
The story of this banquet persisted for over six centuries. I guess you could more accurately say it persisted for 16-17 centuries seeing as the painting wasn't made until nearly16 centuries had passed. God forbid the people being suffocated, like, stood up, or something.
Hi I stumbled upon your channel in my recos (the swing video) and I completely fell in love with how you tell the story, making it more engaging and fascinating to your audience. And the editing is a delight too! You earned another subscriber here (I'm taking a personal note that I followed you at 100k because i know you're destined to become bigger)! 🥰
I wanna jump in because of all these beautiful petals like falling into a pilot of leaves smelling all that beautiful aroma and it’s so beautiful the colors of the flower petals so intriguing
Tbh I don't think that the people in the foreground are dying, suffocating under rose petals. Most have their faces free of petals and some are hardly covered at all. None of them look like they're fighting for their life as they would be if they were suffocating. There must be a different meaning in this scene. 🤷🏻♀️
Agreed. I suppose that if several tons of additional petals poured down some of those people could well be smothered. But based on what we can see in the painting, none of them seem to be in imminent peril of that happening. I definitely don't see how that one guest could already be dead, with face exposed and covered by what seems a non-crushing amount of petals. Then again, that could just be artistic license; after all, if the guest died at the bottom of the mound of petals, the viewer would never know it,
Although the story itself is debatable, that is what the scene is depicting. It’s taken from a popular collection of Roman biographies, one of which is about Heliogabalus (allegedly) “burying his guests in violets and other flowers, so that some were actually smothered to death, being unable to crawl out to the top.”
I think the point of the painting is that it is supposed to initially look pleasant, but the longer you look at it, the more you realize something is wrong. It's not supposed to be literal, like a photograph submitted as evidence in a trial. It's more like a vibe. Being able to see the people's expressions is necessary for the vibe. But the educated people at the time it was painted would already know the story and connect the dots.
I think the whole “suffocating from roses” is supposed to represent how people overreact with how they perceive him for no reason Basically, making a big deal out of nothing
As an advocate for people with mental health issues, describing someone committing massmurder as psychotic is not appropriate. Psychosis has nothing to do with psychopathy, it's a condition all on it's own and also connected to illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar, and is something people die from. Otherwise, thank you for another great video!❤️
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You sound like the psych2go girl
I ordered one
I’m so excited!
Your editing style to the vids adds so much comedy. Love your work!!!
@Wendy77 Thank you! I hope you enjoy it :)
*What exactly led you to imagine all the **_rose petal_** "death" and "massacre"?* The lower guests may be "suffocating" in the atmosphere of the party, or more exactly, the Host, but the rest seems unclear. No doubt, as Roman emperors seem wont to do, they might very well be executed at a later time for specious reasons, but _the rose petals don't seem to be actually nor figuratively doing that here._
But WHY did they stay laying down? They're petals. Not rocks. Were they told to stay unless they want to be killed in other ways? I don't get it.
That's what I'm wondering! Like was the painting just made up based off of the dude's humor but it didn't actually happen, or did people really somehow get suffocated by rose petals??? You would have to use an insane and dense amount of rose petals to suffocate them before they could just... move away or stand up
Symbolism/metaphor. You can paint things any way you want, not always subject to realistic physics. People in the painting are dying by the emperor's over the top-ness and sense of humor.
@@TreeDragon I agree. Perhaps they are dying of "Too much of a good thing". Perhaps studying this soon to be Emperor would help.
Yeah. Why not?
A massive deluge of rose petals would very quickly find their way into your airway, especially if you're laying down. Imagine if you were in bed, when unexpectedly your room became completely full of confetti. You'd breathe in quite a lot of it before you realized what was going on. At that point, it's probably too late for you.
But, because it's a painting, he wanted to show their faces unobscured. It's art. Let it go, dude.
Gods, no. I've never wanted to get into that painting even for a second. It's a horror story.
By the way, Heliogabalus isn't lying down because he's chill. He's lying down because he's EATING. Romans reclined during meals, thus the cup in his hand. It sounds weird, but they believed it was the best position for digestion.
Actually, lying down in that position is somewhat bad, I believe it can mess up a bit with your stomach if you eat too much, by too much, I mean half the things the roman emperors ate back then. Hence, I think it may be bad, I'm no doctor though, so correct me if I'm wrong
@@potatostar18 you are probably right, I remember hearing that they used to throw up so they could eat more probably given by that position and the amount of food they were given
@@potatostar18 Yeah, and?? Who ever said they were RIGHT?
@@jess1380 No, that's a myth. They didn't throw up so they could eat more. Why would they do that? It's the kind of thing that got said about the Romans later, but there's no evidence that it's true. Just like the "vomitorium", which was supposedly a room to go vomit in, but was REALLY the hallway that wrapped around a stadium, which would lead people out of the arena. It had nothing to do with throwing up, just like the silly rumor that Romans used to vomit their food is a silly rumor. People like to make stuff up, especially about the people they took over from. It justifies their position of power to make the formerly powerful look stupid.
ONE FREAKY PAINTING!
ENOUGH SAID!
But explain more! 😳
A lot of folks not understanding how rose petals could smother folks. Here’s how:
1) It wasn’t a sheet that held the petals, as per the painting. It was a fake ceiling where the panels could slide back. Nero was the mastermind of the design and he would drop petals, let in rain, stargaze, spray or drizzle perfume, etc. The ceiling itself was reportedly made from “fretted ivory” (Suetonius) so could hold hundreds or thousands of pounds of petals. I imagine Heliogabalus got bored and one night decided to truly put on a macabre spectacle. Sick kid.
2) The folks below were having an orgy and part were entertainers, part were temple prostitutes. Neither were of consequence to Heliogabalus and easily expendable.
These types of orgies were both entertainment for the Emperor and a ritual for Bachuus, the god of wine and utter excess - indulgence, revelry, folly, and wild passion.
Hence, everyone was inebriated with some of passed out (those already buried). As well, it wasn’t uncommon for larger folks who passed out to pin down others beneath them.
I hope this helps explain it.
Thanx so much
The painting doesn’t depict that well then. “Hundreds of thousands of pounds “ coming down all at once makes sense, but the painting depicts a nice calm breeze of petals flying in, and the people who are somewhat submerged could easily get up and brush themselves off..
-It shall be as in the days of Noah
Thank you for explaining so well gave me a lot of insight on The end times which we’re living in now
@@sophritoh You're thinking too literally and rational. Art is a creative vehicle. The beauty of this piece comes from the innocuous first glance. The point was, the massacre was supposed to be hidden in plain sight (with gentle undertones contrasting that dark fact).
How would someone paint intimidating pounds of petals, and why would they do that? For realism? That's too on the nose, with no subtlety. Remember that art is presented to others, owned by the rich. It needed to be tactful. This piece kept it a slight secret for those in the know.
Honestly, it's just symbolic.
@@sophritoh You can’t have every it of symbolism in art spelled out for you. It’s SYMBOLIC. Not literal.
Very entertaining and interesting! Another plot twist in a seemingly innocent painting. Definietly didn't expect that. Also a nice and fun little history lesson. Loved it!
I wouldnt call it history lesson really
Idk why but at 2:11 her face looks like a meme. Like her expression is so relatable "you see this sht? 🤨"
The Original Jim Halpert
she looks like that one youtuber that reviews historical fashion
As improbable as the scenario in the painting is, the fact someone committed to drawing so many rose petals, and they all look so realistic is good, is wild
I don't understand how they were suffocated by rose petals unless they were buried alive under them. Unless they were drunk or otherwise drugged, the party victims in the painting could've moved away.
Or maybe the petals are not actually petals but blood
or some other murderous liquid .. ^^'
have you ever had a flower fall on your head? I did a few years ago - almost went to the emergency room (but didn't because I couldn't bring myself to spend the money). I am still recovering in some ways.
@@happycats685 ... From a flower? A single flower? How?
Gotta get those views somehow.
The artist is not depicting a real event - it's depicting an urban legend that was likely false (that too many rose petals were released from a false ceiling and accidentally smothered party guests) and there's a 99.9999% chance this tale was invented.
The reason it looks so improbable in the painting is because it's depicting a scenerio that probably could not happen in reality.
This is why we need channels like this though, to break down the intent, metaphors, symbolism, perspective and innuendo to the masses. Aside from good art schools, people don't know _how_ to look at art and design beyond an aesthetic way. Even some college kids don't know how to create art that's meaningful, provocative and deliberate, not just regurgitate anime and cartoons. They don't know the elements and principles of art, or the difference between a critique and criticism; so even they won't know how to consume classical art beyond "it looks cool but not realistic"🤦🙄. If many artists can't consume classical art in intellectual ways, regular people are even less likely to know 🙄😓
thanks for this. throughout the whole video, i was sitting here wondering, can you really smother people with a bunch of rose petals like that? just doesn't seem like something that would work, they're just too light.
@@flannelpillowcase6475 same
@@ophilianecr
How right you are. I sometimes feel consternation while reading the comments, some are so childish.
@@ophilianecr you sound like my old art teacher 😂
I thought the man sitting at the middle of the table, wearing the laurel wreath, was Dionysus/Bacchus. I wonder who it actually was supposed to be?
It’s very interesting that the people being smothered in the roses do not look upset. Most of them look calm or they are even smiling slightly as if in a dream. They do not look terrified or even slightly miffed.
Honestly, there are not enough rose petals to suffocate them. They could just stand up.
probably drugged/drunk? idk if that was possible then (like a roman roofie)
@@9897431 face down in the petals you could def still breathe
Historical deaths occurred so the painting is not showing the real volumn of roses.
there is an old story that, back in roman times, roses' fragrance actually was strong enough to render people unconscious. considering the copious amounts of wine the romans drank at their "bachanaleas" it might have had a synergistic effect.
I don't think the people are suffocating. Doesn't look like that at all and the explanation seems contrived to me.
The video is nice and all, but I would have appreciated it more if you had described WHY the painting has a disturbing plot twist rather than what Heliogabalas was as a person.
Why people do horrible things is always most intriguing, but, since this was eons ago, it is amazing that any of the tale has survived at all. If true/not symbolic, and you want a reason, chalk it up to sociopathy. and affluenza.
@@pliktl if I have to google and find out then why take the watch time from me?
Agreed. She left out a lot of the symbolism. One of the people in the roses is holding a pomegranate, symbol of Proserpina/Persephone, i.e. Queen of the Dead. The figure in the background playing that double flute? That's the instrument of the psychopomp Triptolemus, who would play it as he escorts you to your death. These two are also part of the Eleusinian Mysteries, which is an interesting choice for the artist to make.
Exactly. More art, less history...uh...No! I mean more art history, no less. Hmm...that's not it either. . . . . Historical Artlessness, Morely.
It has disturbing plot twist because he is killing them, and if you see the painting without knowing that fact - you can't even imagine that.
Given your last several videos I'd say you've found your perfect "recipe." Please keep them coming! Really loving your content! 😍
You are making me smarter and I'm laughing while you do it.
You could post every day, we would watch it.
What terrific insight into the art world- at least to this novice. I so appreciate the exposure to these pieces of art I would never had exposure to. It is well done and so well constructed. My exposure to the art world and what I've understood shows how little I know. Can't thank you enough for expanding my horizons
found your videos sometime last week, was disappointed there wasnt more! went through all of them in a single day. incredibly amusing and informative at the same time, my old art history class wouldve loved these!!
Alma-Tadema depicts Elagabalus smothering his unsuspecting guests with rose petals released from a false ceiling. The original reference is this:
Oppressit in tricliniis versatilibus parasitos suos violis et floribus, sic ut animam aliqui efflaverint, cum erepere ad summum non possent.[3]
In a banqueting-room with a reversible ceiling he once buried his guests in violets and other flowers, so that some were actually smothered to death, being unable to crawl out to the top.[4]
think on: this happened less than a year ago
@@pliktl what?
Violets don’t have the sumptuous visual appeal of roses, I guess?
@@pepamicro Astr*World november 5th 2021, texas. a panic caused a huge crowd surge and people were unable to escape for over an hour. 8 perished that night. think about the parents whos anguish was on the news @Jeff “violets” was a general term for many flowers at that time.
How many flowers would they have to be in order for their weight to actually smother someone to death??
Hey, just wanted to say we've really been enjoying this art series as a family around the table. Taking turns to share our impressions of a piece with one another first, then after inviting you into our conversation we get the chance to go around again.
Your videos have provided us an opportunity for sharing an immersive experience with art.
Thanks for this!
We hope you continue this very enjoyable series for a long while to come :)
Not to nag or anything, but I think I would look a bit more shocked than these people when suffocated by rose pedals...
I agree, but i also think that it is a part of the illusion, so that it would seem perfectly normal at a first glance. But yeah i was also sort of confused when it came to the details about the people drowning in rose petals, overall not sure if i can imagine that.
Maybe it’s the instant before they figure out the roses are going to just keep pouring down..?
I think suffocation causes some twisted form of euphoria
@takin my menacin'!- wawt.
@Mozzy om oz to bjork world from Pains What a strange being you are.
Honestly looks more like they are shoked at being rose bombed rather then asphyxiated.
They don’t look unhappy either. The girl lying down in the roses looks like she’s having a beautiful daydream.
@@Saffron-sugar While you're dying it gets calm near the end, soooo...
"Emperor, Why are we rose bombed??😅"
Banqueting guests are not “seated”. They recline. Usually, on their sides, propped by one arm.nine was the ideal number for a Roman banquet, and each person had a couch.
just the fact that a very education video about these artist, their lives and what went behind these paintings has a touch of spicy editing in all the right places is so impressive to me. I applaud your style and can't wait for more videos. I just fouind you but im binging everything today.
since i started watching ur videos while drawing my art just got better
I love your channel. You pick the most intriguing pieces. From the one of hummingbirds to these roses and everything between and abroad. Always insightful and humorous. I greatly appreciate your passion in art history.
I love the way you describe and interpret art. I would have loved to have a professor like you in my art history classes.
That is actually not a bad likeness of Elagabalus. I imagine Alma-Tadema made the museum rounds often for his work, maybe visited classical excavations. I shall have to read up on him.
He was born in a village called Dronrijp, which is a 15 minute drive from where I live. When he was two the family moved to nearby Leeuwarden. His education included Greek and Latin as well as art. He studied early Dutch and Flemish art at the Royal Academy in Antwerp.
I saw this painting at an exhibition of his work in the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden a few years ago.
“Not a bad likeness”? You have photographs?
@@amazingtheatre1262 No Silly, from portrait sculptures, which were excellent portraits.
@@kellydalstok8900 Before turning to classical subjects Alma Tadema did a whole lot of paintings based on events in the Merovingian Frankish kingdom - the area that later became France /Germany, Netherlands etcetera but these paintings are not as famous!
@@amazingtheatre1262 Heliogabalus was a Syrian Arab from the Syrian city of Emesa - I think he looks Arab in the Alma Tadema portrait -his name illah el gebal -means god of the mountain.
I'm in my late 50's, and love art and history...and believe that, no matter your age, you should always cultivate a love of learning. Your videos are one of the ways that I continue to educate myself.
You remind me of my favourite teachers, the ones who clearly had a love for their subject, which allowed them to really bring their subject alive, to teach with humour, and make their classes interesting (even if it was a subject I wasn't normally interested in).
I've always had a fascination for history, and the worst teacher I ever had was a HS history teacher, who made the subject so dry and boring that I actually fell asleep in his class once...I barely passed that class. One of the best teachers I ever had was a HS geography teacher (definitely not one of my favourite subjects), who made his lessons so engaging and interactive that I loved his class, looked forward to it every day, and excelled in it.
If you're not a teacher...you should be.
How could you be a 14 year old emperor and NOT be absolutely insane? 🤣
Well, Caligula was ten years older when he became Emperor and he wasn’t a picture of sanity either.
His successor Severus Alexander was 14 when made emperor and he was one of the better emperors of Rome; he was smart, prudent, and tried his best to be the polar opposite of his debauched cousin. Another example was Gordian iii, who was 13 when he was made emperor, and he was basically the same as Severus Alexander, as he tried to calm Rome down after some very turbulent civil wars. So really it depends greatly on the person rather than age.
@@analander9222 That’s because Severus Alexander was not actually the emperor, his mother was actually the emperor.
@@erraticonteuse The same could be said about Nero or elagabalus but they definitely didn't turn out to be as well.
They grew up faster, back then. 12 was the age of adulthood in much of the ancient world. That’s what a bar mitzvah is.
OMG! I love this painting and never saw it the way you described it. it all makes sense though. I really admired the painting for Tadema's painting skills. Story aside, it's still one amazing painting.
There seems to be so much duality in paintings like this. It is so incredibly impressive to hear every single noticeable part of this painting broken down the way you have. This ruler reminds me so much of Marquise de Sade. A lot of the things that made up his ruling style and personality seem to adhere to some of the disgusting styles of living The Marquise was known for as well as the dark humor he was infamous for having as well.
This is my favourite painting! I absolutely love storytelling how it has this sinister behind-the-painting story despite looking just chill and stuffies.
"Is everyone a psychopath?"
It's Rome. What do you think?
I'm not quite sure why youtube has started to show your videos in my feed, but thank fuck it did. saw your log woman video, the last one as well, and the one about the woman whose painting ruined her, and so far everything has been so interesting and entertaining. thank you!
Same!
An algorithm, thankfully, pointed us in this direction…one of the few times I didn’t mind being manipulated.
I am thoroughly fascinated by her presentations.
Language, Timothy.
The petals looks so real and pretty
I guess you could say Heliogabalus ROSE to the occasion.
This is underrated
As a student currently studying ancient history, I have literally just stopped believing half of what I read about the crazy things some of the emperors did. I genuinely think that so much of the dramatic stories we hear was made up as propaganda to smear or enhance someone’s image. That being said the Romans were actually super weird so maybe it’s all true but for their own sake I hope not lol
Your narration and editing style is outstanding! Love it. If you read the instructions on a box of Mac and Cheese, I'd watch that video.
almost as good as Rich Evens reading the back of VHS tapes
I saw this painting at the Musée Jacquemart André in Paris a few years back, and it is absolutely stunning. It's big, the colours are so rich and vibrant, really something to remember ! I had no idea there was such a dark story behind it, though.
Thanks!
Thank you for supporting the channel!
Love this channel. Great stuff.
Just saw this panting in Munich today.
I was instantly reminded of this video.
The painting is absolutely amazing. The details, the colours and the tecnique overall.
I love it!
but tbh the colors look really amazing
this painting has done justice to the ones that died in those pedals
I wish I had you as an art history teacher in college. You make it fun and funny!
7:33 “Granny can bring you up, and she can bring you down just as well” has the same energy as “I brought you into this world, and I will take you out of it!”😂
Even by Roman standards he was a nut. Of note he was killed by the soldiery on Mars field at the same time the men proclaimed Severus Alexander as the new emperor.
I can only imagine how much work was/is involved in making these clips.
Thank you, most appreciated.
There's not a single Roman emperor that wasn't mad as a box of frogs, and extremely debauched in some way. This is what happens when your family tree doesn't fork.
your voice is so calming i can listen for hours
Your videos are so good and are super underrated
Thank you for making this channel my two favorite things history and art
personally, the guests on the ground look either chill or vaguely annoyed to me. no one looks like they're being suffocated
I love this video. I like how relaxing your voice is and I consider the painting very interesting.
tbh none of these people look like they're about to die. More confused than anything
Wow! Much appreciated. Never heard of the artist, the emperor or this painting. Enlightening.
I have never clicked a video that fast... while at work
Same lol
Same
Your brilliance, voice, and humor deserve A P-POP SCREEN ON YOUR MICROPHONE. 💙
Honestly, I was so excited to see that you had another upload! I know you haven't done a lot of these kinds of videos, but these are just so fascinating to watch. You bring a humor to art critiquing (is that what this is called? Art analyzing? Art theorizing?) I didn't know was possible, and puts a fresh perspective on the art in question. I'm always fascinated by art critics and the way they analyze a piece of art, it's like an art form in an of itself, but I just get bored after a while listening to the usual ones I find. You manage to really dig into the history and lore of a painting, while also exploring it.
Really, thank you for reigniting my passion for art!
this is the same emperor who made everyone worship a meteor rock
I cannot keep my eyes off the man in grene to the right, I find him so in contrast to the rest. While the others comes off "cartoonish", some with a bit wierd proportions, he seems super realistic, and he has a lot more feature details: just look at his braided hair, the beard the details of the ear. His head fits with his body and also he is the only light-blonde person on the painting aside from perhaps the woman with the flute. It is almost like he was added later.... like decades later. I wonder why he got all the "detail love" and got to stand out like that.
I’m gonna watch your entire back-catalog. Snarky art history-very well done.👀✌️
A perfect demonstration of why you don't give absolute power to a fourteen year old boy.
Never been interested in art. But this channel has changed my mind because of the stories behind the art.
2:39 that editing was immaculate
What a fantastic work. Wow. I am enjoying your perspective. I used to watch Sister Wendy as a kid and I fell in love art and reading the painting.
There's a really interesting painting called Anguish. It might take you awhile to find it but its a painting of a dead baby lamb with her mother sheep protecting her from the crows. You can really see the sadness in her eyes. It would be really cool if you could make a video on this :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!❤️
I just ordered the coloring book!!! Thank you!🤩
Thank you, Joy! I really hope you enjoy it!
Hello, just discovered your channel. Love it! Many thanks!!!!! 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If I saw this painting and didn’t know the truth about what’s happening in it, I would’ve guessed that someone invited their friends over to a party. Also, it looks soooo much fun! If I didn’t know any better I would’ve happily dove in and swam in the petals.... and then I would die. Welp, Worth it!
Thank you so much for these art history videos. Please keep making them, I really enjoy revisiting artworks that I learned about in Art History class.
Love the style of editing
7:13 you got me with that. thats my damn ringtone and i thought someone was calling me 😭
I recently discovered your channel and honestly the way you narrate your videos is very dynamic and fun and I like that. You make art history fun and easy to listen to!! 😊
100% agree!
Art Deco: "Everyone's is panicking"
Everyone: Smiling and being happy af. I mean a few of them do look a little lost.
Another entertaining video. From what I read, the lion would be tame, So it really wasn't a threat. Supposedly, he was killed by his own Palace Guard.
Gosh this painting is gorgeous
The story of this banquet persisted for over six centuries. I guess you could more accurately say it persisted for 16-17 centuries seeing as the painting wasn't made until nearly16 centuries had passed.
God forbid the people being suffocated, like, stood up, or something.
Alma Tadema another great one. Thanks for doing this videos.
The way he is... "seated" at the table isn't strange. That's just how Romans ate. You can see everyone else is also laying down around the table.
Hi I stumbled upon your channel in my recos (the swing video) and I completely fell in love with how you tell the story, making it more engaging and fascinating to your audience. And the editing is a delight too! You earned another subscriber here (I'm taking a personal note that I followed you at 100k because i know you're destined to become bigger)! 🥰
Basically Ezra Miller
0:01 Uh, no cuz you’re already closing in on the people that look the most horrifying lmao
(Awesome video btw, been binging your stuff basically)
Maybe the party guests were all allergic to roses.
I wanna jump in because of all these beautiful petals like falling into a pilot of leaves smelling all that beautiful aroma and it’s so beautiful the colors of the flower petals so intriguing
What's heavier a ton of flower petals or a ton of bricks?
Both...
idk how but its giving midsommar vibe
Tbh I don't think that the people in the foreground are dying, suffocating under rose petals. Most have their faces free of petals and some are hardly covered at all. None of them look like they're fighting for their life as they would be if they were suffocating. There must be a different meaning in this scene. 🤷🏻♀️
Agreed. I suppose that if several tons of additional petals poured down some of those people could well be smothered. But based on what we can see in the painting, none of them seem to be in imminent peril of that happening. I definitely don't see how that one guest could already be dead, with face exposed and covered by what seems a non-crushing amount of petals. Then again, that could just be artistic license; after all, if the guest died at the bottom of the mound of petals, the viewer would never know it,
Although the story itself is debatable, that is what the scene is depicting. It’s taken from a popular collection of Roman biographies, one of which is about Heliogabalus (allegedly) “burying his guests in violets and other flowers, so that some were actually smothered to death, being unable to crawl out to the top.”
They're probably too drunk because of wine.
I think the point of the painting is that it is supposed to initially look pleasant, but the longer you look at it, the more you realize something is wrong. It's not supposed to be literal, like a photograph submitted as evidence in a trial. It's more like a vibe. Being able to see the people's expressions is necessary for the vibe. But the educated people at the time it was painted would already know the story and connect the dots.
Cool merch! Fascinating video, I love art and art history, thank you!
I think the whole “suffocating from roses” is supposed to represent how people overreact with how they perceive him for no reason
Basically, making a big deal out of nothing
the artist 🧑🎨 did such a good job painting this that i can’t tell if it’s an oil painting or a photograph 😮wow! amazing
So hes a crazy dictator i dont care what he prefers i call him.
Exactly!
I have only just discovered your channel and I am much enjoying your informative explorations. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Loving this series! Please keep making them!
That sip edit tho
That moral of the story..."If granny can bring you up....she can easily take you out" was literally so hilarious....😂
Alma-Tadema is one of my favorite artists!! A late pre-Raphaelite brotherhood artist. All his paintings are incredibly done
This gives a new meaning to the term, _"Everything is coming up roses."_
I love this picture. I wish the world really looked like this.
i don't see how they look dying, they just look surprised and weirded out
As an advocate for people with mental health issues, describing someone committing massmurder as psychotic is not appropriate. Psychosis has nothing to do with psychopathy, it's a condition all on it's own and also connected to illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar, and is something people die from. Otherwise, thank you for another great video!❤️