Expert: Maria - 4/16/2010

Question
Hi I hope you can help,

what was the treatment of mythology in Roman painting?

What examples are there of this?

thank you in advance im quite confused.

Answer
Hello,

the mythological and religious Greco-Roman  background often recur in Roman painting, where  images of gods and myth are often found, as you can see in the frescoes of Pompeii at http://www.theoi.com/GalleryF1.html

So, it is clear that in the rare paintings which survive from the Roman classical world there are many examples of representation of myths and legends which were closely connected to Roman culture and literature and thus were commonly painted.

See also:

-the Odyssey paintings from a Roman house on the Esquiline at
http://www.edtech.vt.edu/edtech/arthistory/point/pointp4_3.html representing
the Laestrygonians hurling rocks at the fleet of Odysseus.

- EUROPA & THE BULL  at http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/F1.1.html

-APOLLO at http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/F5.1.html

-IPHIGENEIA at http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/F6.1.html

-ARTEMIS & AKTAION at http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/F6.2.html

-HEPHAISTOS &  KYKLOPES at http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/F7.1.html

-APHRODITE, ARES & EROS at http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/F10.2.html

Hope this can be helpful to you.
Best regards,
Maria