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An Illusionistic Mosaic by Heraklitos – III

Illusionistic mosaic of an “Unswept Room” (asarotos oikos) decorated with a panorama of fish bones, olive pits, chicken bones, fruit stems, seashells, and other scraps littering a white floor and even casting shadows upon it, as if the party were still going on and banqueters were still tossing the detritus of their meal down for servants to sweep up. The charming detail of a mouse taking advantage of the situation and nibbling a cracked walnut seems to be, alas, a Renaissance restoration)

This mosaic signed by Heraklitos (2nd century CE) imitates a Hellenistic mosaic made by Sosos at Pergamon (early 1st century BCE).

 

Source: Hurwit J.M., “Artist and Signature in Ancient Greece”

 

Roman mosaic

Signed by Heraklitos

2nd century AD

From Rome, from Aventine Hill

Vatican City State, Vatican Museums, Museo Gregoriano Profano, Cat 10132

 

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Uploaded on January 19, 2021
Taken on February 6, 2014