The Fiancée of Belus (French: La fiancée de Bélus) is a painting by French artist Henri-Paul Motte based on a fanciful Babylonian ritual associated with the deity Belus (Bel). According to that ritual, Bel was offered a girl who sat on the lap of the Bel's statue overnight, and then was replaced by another, all of whom were the winners of daily beauty contests.[1] Motte cited as a reference the Greek historian Herodotus,[2] but the related quote was later found to be invented.[1]The Fiancee of Belus features oversized, Academic style.[1] To recreate the interior of the Babylonian temple, Motte copied the Greek temple in Olympia, while the sculpture is inspired by Lamassu.[1]
In 2013, the painting was acquired by the Musée d'Orsay where it is presently kept. It was previously housed in Galerie Vincent Lecuyer, near Musée d’Orsay and was exhibited at the BRAFA [nl; fr] (BRussels Art FAir) and PAD Paris design and art fair.[1]
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