The 'Dea Barberini' - a fresco of Venus restored as Roma
This fresco was uncovered in Rome near the baptisterium of San Giovanni in Laterano in 1655. It was incorrectly restored as the goddess Roma, the ancient patron of the city. Her added portions depict her wearing a helmet and spear, with a shield learning against her throne. The added inscription on her dais reads VIRTUS - HONOR - IMPERIUM. This fresco probably instead depicts the cult statue of Venus from the double temple of Venus and Roma - the largest temple in the ancient city - designed by the emperor Hadrian himself in 121 CE, but probably not opened for another 20 years (it was rebuilt under the emperor Maxentius in 307 CE after a fire).
Here, Venus sits enthroned, swans (one of her symbols) draped langorously on the bejeweled ivory arms of the chair; she holds a small image of Nike-Victoria holding a globe. The goddess' interesting clothing seems to consist of several layers, and small embroided white acanthus volutes can be seen on the red horizontal stripes. Venus' right side, which appears red, was originally as yellow as the rest of her tunic, but at some point it was subjected to high heat (probably a fire), which turned the yellow ochre pigment into red ochre (we see this in Pompeiian frescos).
Owned and restored by the Barberini family - one of the most powerful families in Rome - it became know as the 'Dea Barberini', or the Barberini Goddess.
Roman, ca. 300-350 CE.
Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, formerly in the Palazzo Barberini, Rome (cat. inv. 347)
The 'Dea Barberini' - a fresco of Venus restored as Roma
This fresco was uncovered in Rome near the baptisterium of San Giovanni in Laterano in 1655. It was incorrectly restored as the goddess Roma, the ancient patron of the city. Her added portions depict her wearing a helmet and spear, with a shield learning against her throne. The added inscription on her dais reads VIRTUS - HONOR - IMPERIUM. This fresco probably instead depicts the cult statue of Venus from the double temple of Venus and Roma - the largest temple in the ancient city - designed by the emperor Hadrian himself in 121 CE, but probably not opened for another 20 years (it was rebuilt under the emperor Maxentius in 307 CE after a fire).
Here, Venus sits enthroned, swans (one of her symbols) draped langorously on the bejeweled ivory arms of the chair; she holds a small image of Nike-Victoria holding a globe. The goddess' interesting clothing seems to consist of several layers, and small embroided white acanthus volutes can be seen on the red horizontal stripes. Venus' right side, which appears red, was originally as yellow as the rest of her tunic, but at some point it was subjected to high heat (probably a fire), which turned the yellow ochre pigment into red ochre (we see this in Pompeiian frescos).
Owned and restored by the Barberini family - one of the most powerful families in Rome - it became know as the 'Dea Barberini', or the Barberini Goddess.
Roman, ca. 300-350 CE.
Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, formerly in the Palazzo Barberini, Rome (cat. inv. 347)