Ovid: “Love, Myths and Other stories” - XV
Beautiful example of Julio-Claudian fresco depicting a lush garden. The picture was discovered in the dinner room - “triclinium” - of the House of the Golden Bracelet in Pompeii. The fresco is organized in pictorial bands. The first band, in the lower part, represents a black base decorated with floral elements (iris and other plants). A grate rests above it; some windows with different geometric shapes (rectangles, lozenges and others) open on its surface. The representation of the garden occupies the median band of the fresco. Branches and leaves stand out against the blue background of the sky. The garden appears as seen through a large window framed by two slender corner pillars; its naturalistic representation allows us to distinguish various types of plants, flowers and bird species. A fountain with gushing water and two herms supporting monochrome panels decorated with mythological subjects enrich the garden. The panels show Dionysiac themes: Ariadne and sleeping Maenads
To left statue of Venus “Callipyge” (mid-2nd century DC - Naples, National Archaeological Museum); to right Eros with arch (copy; 1st century AD - Venice, National Archaeological Museum)
Source Exhibition notice
Fresco From Pompeii, “The House of the Golden Bracelet”
Approx. H. 292 cm x L. 370 cm
Late I century DC – 1st half I century AD, (3rd style)
Pompeii, Archaeological park
Exhibition: “Ovidio: Loves, Myths & Other Stories”
Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome
Ovid: “Love, Myths and Other stories” - XV
Beautiful example of Julio-Claudian fresco depicting a lush garden. The picture was discovered in the dinner room - “triclinium” - of the House of the Golden Bracelet in Pompeii. The fresco is organized in pictorial bands. The first band, in the lower part, represents a black base decorated with floral elements (iris and other plants). A grate rests above it; some windows with different geometric shapes (rectangles, lozenges and others) open on its surface. The representation of the garden occupies the median band of the fresco. Branches and leaves stand out against the blue background of the sky. The garden appears as seen through a large window framed by two slender corner pillars; its naturalistic representation allows us to distinguish various types of plants, flowers and bird species. A fountain with gushing water and two herms supporting monochrome panels decorated with mythological subjects enrich the garden. The panels show Dionysiac themes: Ariadne and sleeping Maenads
To left statue of Venus “Callipyge” (mid-2nd century DC - Naples, National Archaeological Museum); to right Eros with arch (copy; 1st century AD - Venice, National Archaeological Museum)
Source Exhibition notice
Fresco From Pompeii, “The House of the Golden Bracelet”
Approx. H. 292 cm x L. 370 cm
Late I century DC – 1st half I century AD, (3rd style)
Pompeii, Archaeological park
Exhibition: “Ovidio: Loves, Myths & Other Stories”
Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome