Vestal Reviving The Sacred Fire, French School From The 18th C.

Young Vestal Rekindling the sacred fire. Oil on canvas, French school of the 1st half of the 18th century, follower of Jean RAOUX 1677-1734. In ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins or virgins were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The college of Vestals and its well-being were considered fundamental for the continuity and security of Rome. They cultivated the sacred fire which it was not allowed to extinguish. The Vestals were freed from the usual social obligations to marry and bear children, and vowed chastity in order to devote themselves to the study and correct observation of the state rituals which were prohibited at male colleges of priests. Fashionable subject at the end of the 17C and at the beginning of the 18C. where women of good condition were represented in Vestal or in repentant Madeleine. Good condition, re-covering, painted wooden frame from the 19C.