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Wall Painting with Garlands and Objects Related to Dionysiac Rites

Wall Painting with Garlands and Objects Related to Dionysiac Rites

Roman, Late Republican, ca. 50-40 B.C.

From the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale

 

In this superb fresco from Room L, the exedra, of the villa at Boscoreale, decorated bulls' heads (bucrania) support a sumptuous garland of laurel leaves, pomegranates, sheaths of wheat, and pinecones. Satyr masks, bells, and so-called cistae mysticae (sacred baskets) with writhing snakes emerging from them hang from delicate red ribbons. The masks, musical instruments, and especially the cistae mysticae are all references to Dionysus/Bacchus, the god of wine, fertility, and exuberant joie de vivre.

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Uploaded on July 25, 2010
Taken on July 18, 2010