Crowning the victor (Copy after Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640), “Crowning the victor”)
Friedrich von Amerling (1803 - 1887)
Framesize 69.50 x 83.00 x 5.50 cm
4.3.1992, Residenzgalerie Salzburg, donated by Galerie Kurt Meissner, Zürich
JUFFINGER 2010, vol. 1, p. 19
In the copy of "Coronation of the Victor" by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640), made by Friedrich von Amerling (1803–1887) in 1853, the heroic commander occupies centre-stage. His victory is evident in the disposition of his defeated opponents. Corpses are strewn under his feet, while a fettered prisoner raises himself so far as to kiss the victor's left knee. Victoria, the winged goddess of Victory, sitting on the right of the hero equipped with sword, shield and armour, crowns him with a laurel wreath. The goddess's wings remind us that she may appear swiftly and unexpectedly – but that victory can just as suddenly slip away.
The victor's eyes are turned towards the god on his left – Mars, god of war, with helmet and thunderbolt. A burning torch is the attribute of Bellona, the Roman goddess of War, who is described as being spattered with blood. Minerva, in her function as goddess of War, is sometimes called Bellona. Whereas Minerva represents "the commander's caution / untiring administration and wise counsel", Bellona stands for "slaughter / atrocities / defeats and other such vile fruits of war".*
Comparison with the Victoria described by Cesare Ripa (c 1555–1622) shows an alteration or expansion of the picture. Instead of Minerva with attributes of helmet and palm-branch, the victor himself, enthroned upon his enemies, is crowned by Victoria; thus the painting has been altered to show the hero and the war deity. Since ancient times, palm and olive branches have symbolised victory and peace. Amerling, like Rubens, shows the laurel wreath as a symbol of victory, also dating back to antiquity.
*Translated from Joachim von Sandrart's Iconologia Deorum (1680)
Translated catalogue text from:
Ducke Astrid: Macht | Propaganda | Krieg. In: Oehring Erika, Ducke Astrid, Habersatter Thomas (Hrsg.): Allegorie. Die Sprache der Bilder. Residenzgalerie Salzburg, Salzburg 2017, S. 129-151, Friedrich von Amerling, Die Krönung des Siegers (Kopie nach Peter Paul Rubens), S. 141-142, Abb. 8, S. 140
Translation: Gail Schamberger MA, Salzburg
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