Bidspirit auction | Flemish master , 17th century

Flemish master , 17th century - The picture shows the virgin Vestal Virgins tending the sacred hearth fire in the Temple of Vesta in Rome near the Roman Forum and adding logs to keep it burning. It was not allowed to go out and was only ritually extinguished and rekindled once a year. An older Vestal Virgin pushes logs into the fire with tongs, while a young Vestal Virgin brings new logs. As virgins, the Vestal Virgins wear white veils.Oil on canvas 65 x 59 cm Dimensions 65 x 59 cm