The Apotheosis of Romulus
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Pauline Bonaparte as Venus VictrixThe Rape of ProserpinaAdoration of the ChildDavidApollo and DaphneThe Council of the GodsSaint Jerome WritingAeneas, Anchises, and AscaniusThe EntombmentYoung Sick BacchusDavid with the Head of GoliathApollo and Daphne with The Apotheosis of RomulusMadonna and Child with St AnneRoman Civilization and the Heroic Virtue of HonorBoy with a Basket of FruitSacred and Profane LoveMax Amid Roman EchoesThe Apotheosis of RomulusTruth Unveiled by TimeBust of Cardinal Scipione BorgheseYoung Woman with a UnicornHistoric Gardens of Villa BorgheseAtlantes and DeitiesMax aming Berninis and CaravaggiosPope Paul V BorghesePope Paul VMax Contemplates Bernini’s Pluto and ProserpinaVenus Blindfolding CupidFireplace

The Apotheosis of RomulusMariano Rossi

1210
This radiant ceiling scene (1775–79) shows Romulus ascending to Olympus as Jupiter welcomes him with divine light. Painted by Mariano Rossi for the Borghese family, it merges myth and dynastic pride. Glorifying Rome’s founding hero, the fresco proclaims continuity between ancient virtue and aristocratic legacy.