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Lot Essay
This picture and the previous lot were originally part of a series of four compositions commissioned by John Bowles exploring different types of female love.
Egeria was a Roman nymph, who seems originally to have been a goddess of springs, forming part of the cult of Diana at Nemi. There was also a cult to her at Rome itself, near the Porta Capena at the foot of the Caelian Hill. She is said to have advised the devout King Numa Pompilius, successor of Romulus as second King of Rome according to the legends of the foundation of the city, who is credited with creating many of the cults and the sacred institutions of the city. According to some versions Egeria was either his wife or his lover, prescribing the religious practices which he followed and teaching him the most efficacious prayers and incantations. According to tradition Numa Pompilius had a long and peaceful reign (715-673 BC) which was regarded in later times as a sort of Golden Age. When Numa died Egeria is said to have wept so much in her despair that she became a spring. In this composition Numa Pompilius is shown receiving the shield which tradition relates was given to him by the Gods.
We are grateful to Dr. Bettina Baumgärtel for her assistance with this catalogue entry.
Egeria was a Roman nymph, who seems originally to have been a goddess of springs, forming part of the cult of Diana at Nemi. There was also a cult to her at Rome itself, near the Porta Capena at the foot of the Caelian Hill. She is said to have advised the devout King Numa Pompilius, successor of Romulus as second King of Rome according to the legends of the foundation of the city, who is credited with creating many of the cults and the sacred institutions of the city. According to some versions Egeria was either his wife or his lover, prescribing the religious practices which he followed and teaching him the most efficacious prayers and incantations. According to tradition Numa Pompilius had a long and peaceful reign (715-673 BC) which was regarded in later times as a sort of Golden Age. When Numa died Egeria is said to have wept so much in her despair that she became a spring. In this composition Numa Pompilius is shown receiving the shield which tradition relates was given to him by the Gods.
We are grateful to Dr. Bettina Baumgärtel for her assistance with this catalogue entry.