Perseus freeing Andromeda from the sea monster
Fresco of the Fourth style from Pompeii (VI. 9. 6).
62—79 CE.
128 × 106 cm. Inv. No. 8998.Naples, National Archaeological Museum, Hall LXXIIPhoto by Luigi Spina

Perseus freeing Andromeda from the sea monster.

Fresco of the Fourth style from Pompeii (VI. 9. 6).
62—79 CE.
128 × 106 cm.
Inv. No. 8998.

Naples, National Archaeological Museum, Hall LXXII
(Napoli, Museo archeologico nazionale, Sala LXXII).

Pompeii, House of Castor and Pollux (VI, 9, 6, room 6).
Origin:
Pompeii, VI. 9. 6, House of Castor and Pollux, room 6, on the south pilaster at the east end of peristyle, 18th June 1828.
Description:

Perseus and Andromeda, from Pompeii, House of the Dioscuri (VI, 9, 6)

inv. 8998

In the land of the Ethiopians Perseus has killed the monster to whom Andromeda was doomed in expiation of the hubris of her mother Cassiopea, who had dared to claim to be more beautiful than the Nereids (see the vase on p. 80). The girl, freed from the chains which bound her — we still see one shackle round her left wrist — steps down majestically from the cliff, supported by the hero, also portrayed in a statuary pose with his sickle and the head of Medusa.

The pyramidal layout of the composition and the conception of the figures undoubtedly reflect the Greek original, which is probably to be ascribed to Niki as, the famous Athenian painter of the late classical period. Six other versions are known to us in Pompeii.

However, the treatment of the light, the softness of the fabrics, and the accentuation of the skilful use of colour which sets the light and dark shades in the foreground against those in the background, are all traits of the Roman reelaboration.

Datable to the Flavian era, IV style.

Credits:
Google Cultural Institute.
© Photo: Luigi Spina.
2019. Add. information: http://pompeiiinpictures.com.
© 1996. Description: Stefano De Caro. The National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Soprintendenza Archeologica di Napoli e Caserta. Electa, Napoli, 2001. P. 178.
THE GALLERY OF ANCIENT ART
Keywords: ζωγραφικήί pictura ars picturae painting pittura malerei peinture ελληνική μυθολογία mythologia graeca greek mythology mitologia greca griechische mythologie grecque περσεύς περσέας perseus perseo persée ρωμαϊκές roman romana romano romani römisch römische römisches römischen römischer romain romaine romains romaines μέδουσα medousa medusa méduse ἀνδρομέδα ἀνδρομέδη ανδρομέδα andromeda andromede andromède πομπηία pompeii pompeian pompei pompeiano pompeji pompeianischen pompejanischen pompéi pompéien τέταρτο στυλ fourth style iv quarto stile vierte vierter stil quatrième φρεσκογραφία τοιχογραφία νωπογραφία wall fresco frescos frescoes opera parietale murale opere parietali murali affresco affreschi freskomalerei frischmalerei wandmalerei fresko fresken fresque fresques pintura mural κῆτος κήτος θαλάσσιο τέρας cetus sea monster mostro marino seeungeheuer monstre marin female dress clothes clothing garment abbigliamento femminile damenbekleidung vêtements pour femmes γυναικεία ρούχα armilla bracelet braccialetto bracciale armband armreif armspange spange βραχιόλι ensis sword spada schwert épée ξίφος σπαθί cloak mantello mantel manteau μανδύα girl young woman ragazza mädchen mädel jeune fille κοπέλα earring earrings orecchino orecchini ohrring ohrringe boucle d’oreille house of castor and pollux vi 9 6 casa dei dioscuri head gorgon testa di gorgone medusenhaupt kopf tête de en falx sickle falce sichel faucille δρεπάνι talaria winged sandals sandali alati geflügelte sandalen flügelschuhe sandales ailées talonnières φτερωτά σανδάλια πτηνοπέδιλος πτερόεντα πέδαλα shackle shackles catena fessel fesseln fers freeing from the inv no 8998
History of Ancient Rome