The Romans of the Decadence
1847 Musée d'Orsay
About this artwork
This monumental oil painting depicts a decadent Roman orgy set within a classical architectural space, famously exhibited at the 1847 Paris Salon. It exemplifies the transition from Neoclassicism to a more romanticized, moralizing historical style.
Did you know?
When it debuted at the 1847 Paris Salon, the painting caused a sensation for its massive scale and its biting critique of contemporary July Monarchy corruption under the guise of ancient history. It was considered the masterpiece of Thomas Couture's career and cemented his reputation as one of the most significant painters of his generation, though critics remained divided on whether it was a genuine moralizing lesson or merely an excuse for erotic display.
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The Romans of the Decadence
Thomas Couture, 1847
