Detail of the ‘dancing figures’ from the so-called Villa of Cicero at Pompeii. The fluidity of the poses, as though floating in the air, combined with the arresting diaphanous material of their dresses is simply stunning.
Have a beautiful Day of Aphrodite aka Venus' Day aka Frigg's Day aka Friday 🌹
#Hera, #Aphrodite, and #Athena present themselves for the Trojan prince Paris to judge their beauty. Aphrodite is disrobing for him to show him the goods. #Hermes had guided them and apparently decided to stick around to sneak a peek.
🏛️ "The Judgment of Paris," 45-79 CE, Roman fresco
This Etruscan fresco is thought to date to c. 475 BCE. It is part of a tomb decoration from Tarquinia, legendary home of the Roman king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus though long after his time!
This fresco depicts Polyphemus and the nereid Galatea in a landscape. Galatea is sometimes also the name of the statue that Pygmalion creates, though these were likely different story traditions…
Ares-Mars embraced by his love Aphrodite-Venus with a dog at their feet. The club in his hand is usually part of the iconography of #Herakles so it could also be a fresco depicting #Hercules and Megaera or Deïaneira. Does anyone know if it's Mars of Hercules?
This scene of a wild hunt has been carefully restored to capture the vibrancy and beauty of the animals. Big cats chase a variety of animals evoking Egypt or further south into Africa.
"#Dionysos showed himself on the island [of Naxos], and because of the beauty of #Ariadne he took the maiden away from #Theseus and kept her as his lawful wife, loving her exceedingly."
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4.61.5
🏛️ Dionysos and Ariadne, #fresco from the Triclinium in the House of Vettii, #Pompeii
This banquet scene shows a couple of important things. First, the absolute gorgeousness of diaphanous gowns (this is stunning!). Second, does that poor attendant only have half a body? Let’s hope it’s just damage over time 😅
A glimpse into daily life with this detailed fresco from the Praedia of Julia Felix at Pompeii. Is this a baker selling freshly baked loaves or a distributor of bread to eligible citizens? Either way, this one’s a beauty!
This gorgeous scene might be mistaken as part of Livia’s garden fresco but this is a later example. This fresco comes from the House of the Golden Bracelet at Pompeii. The idea of garden decorations such as pillars, masks, and frescoes with frescoes is at play.
Have a beautiful Day of Aphrodite aka Venus' Day aka Frigg's Day aka Friday 🌹
A rare #fresco of Aphrodite Anadyomene, Aphrodite/Venus rising from the sea. The goddess is in the nude, wringing out her hair. Note her beautiful jewellery!
"Swelled like young Mene's the [#Moon's] arching chariot-rail when high over Okeanos' fathomless-flowing stream she rises, with the space half filled with light between her bowing horns."
Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 1.147
🏛️ #Fresco on the facade of the House of Venus and the Four Gods (IX. 7. 1), 1st century CE, Pompeii
Loving this fragment that shows an octopus seemingly winning a show down with an eel and possibly taking out a large prawn (or relation!) at the same time.
Caught this beautiful fragment of a number of birds in a tree with my own eyes yesterday. This was once part of a funerary fresco from Paestum c. C4th BCE.
This delicate piece depicts Phoebe seeking to reassure Latona and Niobe; meanwhile Niobe’s daughters Hilearia and Agle play knucklebones, unaware of their imminent death…
This piece was painted on marble and each figure provided with a name in ancient Greek. It is also signed by the artist who lists themselves as Alexander of Athens.
Image slightly enhanced to bring out the contrast.