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Bellona by Jean-Léon Gérôme

Bellona by Jean-Léon Gérôme is a polychrome sculpture made in several versions in different materials, dating from about 1892 to 1899. The work depicts Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, whose origins are uncertain and who is sometimes considered the wife or sister of Mars. She wears a helmet and armor resembling the aegis of Minerva and appears with her mouth wide open in a cry. The bust combines multiple materials, including bronze, gilded bronze, painted plaster, polychrome wood, porcelain, and glass. One bronze version in the Musée Jean-Léon Gérôme in Vesoul measures 87 cm high, 47 cm wide, and 30 cm deep. A full-length polychrome version is held at the Art Gallery of Hamilton in Ontario.

Bellona bust with a winged helmet and open mouth displayed on a white pedestal.
Bellona shown as a dark metallic bust in a gallery setting.
August 2023 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bronze bust of Bellona with an anguished expression, wearing a helmet and ornate armor with a blue jewel.
Bellona shown as a bronze bust with a dramatic expression, helmet, and decorated armor.
August 2023 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bellone bust with an open-mouthed expression, wearing a winged helmet and chest armor.
Buste Bellone by J.-L. Gérôme, shown here as a bust with a dramatic helmet and armored chest.
1900 © Jean-Léon Gérôme · Public domain
Close-up of the bronze base of Bellone by J.L. Gérôme, showing a BELLONE plaque and carved signature.
The bronze base of Bellone by J.L. Gérôme, with the sculpture’s name and signature visible in close-up.
August 2023 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleBellone
Alternate titleBuste de Bellone
Alternate titleLe Buste de Bellone
Typesculpture
Typepolychrome sculpture

Historical context

Datecirca 1899
Production periodabout 1892 to about 1899
Historical contextJean-Léon Gérôme made several sculptures in the second half of the 19th century.

Creator

ArtistJean-Léon Gérôme
NationalityFrench
SculptorJean-Léon Gérôme

Discovery and provenance

Preparatory plaster model date1892

History and restoration

Exhibited at Getty MuseumLos Angeles, United States, 15 June to 12 September 2010
RestorationThe left arm and the head are the result of a restoration.
Exhibited at Musée d'OrsayParis, France, 18 October 2010 to 23 January 2011
Salon receptionAt the Salon in 1892, the work was criticized for its open mouth, which was said to recall "the gums and teeth with the jaws raised of dentist shop windows".

Iconography and meaning

Pose and expressionThe warrior wears a helmet and a cuirass, opens her mouth, and emits a scream.
Cuirass descriptionThe cuirass is similar to the aegis of Minerva.
Full-length version actionThe goddess raises a sword in her right hand and holds a shield in her left.
Cobra elementA cobra at her feet opens its jaws menacingly, echoing her battle cry.
Mythological identityA divinity of uncertain origin, sometimes considered the wife or sister of Mars
SubjectBellona, the Roman goddess of war

Physical characteristics

Dimensions87 × 47 × 30 cm
Depth30 cm
Width47 cm
Height87 cm

Materials

MaterialsBronze, gilded bronze, painted plaster, polychrome wood, porcelain, glass, paillon, and iron
Bust version materialbronze
Bust version materialiron and bronze
BaseSquare molded base in green marble veined with white
Chest maskSmall blue glass mask by René Lalique
Bronze patinaGolden and brown patina

Technique

SignatureJL Gérôme
NumberingNumbered
Foundry markSiot, Paris

Location and ownership

Museum locationVesoul
Museum former nameGeorges Garret Museum
CollectionMusée Jean-Léon Gérôme
Full-length version locationArt Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada