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A vestal virgin, wearing pure white robes and veil, is seen pouring oil from a gold jug into an urn.

A vestal virgin was a Roman priestess of the temple of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home. Priestesses maintained the sacred fire, which needed to be kept burning perpetually. They collected clean water, prepared food used in rituals and cared for objects in the temple's sanctuary. Sworn to chastity, the punishment for breaking this vow was being buried alive. They had certain privileges, like being able to own their own property, make wills and vote (when other women could not) and were entrusted with legal matters.

This is an appropriate painting to be found in the collection at A La Ronde. The will of Mary Parminter (one of the women the house was built for) stipulates that only unmarried kinswomen should inherit the property.