OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE RESTORED
COUNCIL CHAMBER AND MAYOR'S PARLOUR

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The decoration of the saloon, now known as the Council Chamber, is a wonderful example of Empire Style and includes many Neoclassical features. The ceiling appears as being supported by a series of pilasters, the tops of which are decorated in a composite style of the Ionic and Corinthian orders of architecture. We see four pictures depicting events in the history of Ancient Rome. The artist is an exceptional master of the trompe l'oeil technique of creating the impression of bas-relief images inlaid in the plaster ceiling. This is seen to best effect when the sun is just peeping over the Rock, all the shadows being orientated for this time of day. The layout of the ceiling paintings and the medallions featuring four Roman emperors is perfectly symmetrical. It is clear that the composition of the paintings has been taken from classical works by the great masters. We see the influence of David, Tiepolo, Bussano, and Rubens but most especially from Poussin, which the original artist has incorporated into the ceiling design in his own style. Over the years all trace of the artist's identity has been lost.

The Rape of the Sabine Women
The artist made reference to Poussin's work of the same name painted c. l636 shown here in full colour

The Combat of the Horatii and Curratii

The Rape of the Sabine Women. This scene depicts the mythical attempt by Romulus to carry off the Sabine women to colonize the new city of Rome. The insert shows the famous work on this theme by the painter Poussin painted around 1636. Similarities between the two works can be seen, particularly in the composition of some of the groups of figures.

The Combat of the Horatii and Curratii. When a dispute over sovereignty arose between the Romans and Albans, in order to avoid a war, two sets of triplet brothers from each army agreed to fight. The scene depicts the last stages of the combat from which only one of the Horatii survived. The painting is probably based on an original by the French Neo-classical artist David ( 1748-1825). The National Gallery has been contacted to verify this.

Emperor Constantine at the Battle of the Malvian Bridge

Emperor Justinian accepts tributes.

Emperor Constantine at the Battle of the Malvian Bridge. Constantine in the West and Maxentius in the East were joint emperors of the Roman Empire. When Maxentius sought to become sole ruler, Constantine invaded Italy with a strong army of faithful Gauls and won a crushing victory over Maxentius outside Rome in 312 A.D. During this campaign he was said to have seen a vision of the Cross superimposed upon the sun and accompanied by the words "In this sign, you will conquer". The scene depicts the battle outside Rome, with the enemy being driven into the River Tiber after Constantine shouts the words seen in his vision. Subsequently the Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion for the Roman Empire and in 325 A.D. summoned the first General Council of the Church in Nicaea. It is a matter of speculation to what extent Constantine's dream was influenced by his mother, St. Helena, who was the reputed discoverer of the True Cross.

Emperor Justinian recovered N. Africa from the Vandals, SE Spain from the Visigoths and Italy from the Ostrogoths. He ordered the codification of Roman law, which influenced European jurisprudence. Justinian was genuinely concerned with promoting the well-being of his subjects by rooting out corruption and providing easily accessible justice. Here he is shown accepting tributes. The Byzantine Emperor is shown above the steps leading to the palace leaning on a staff. Behind him can be seen the Empress Theodora, probably the most powerful woman in Byzantine history. Her intelligence and political acumen made her Justinian's most trusted adviser. Little is known of her early life, but according to contemporary records she was an actress which, even as late as the 17th century was still a synonym for a prostitute. Justinian raised her to the rank of patrician, and married her in 525 A.D. When Justinian succeeded to the throne in 527 A.D. she was proclaimed Empress. Theodora is remembered as one of the first rulers to promote the rights of women.

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