DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61387#0195
THE RUINS OF POMPEII. Ill
Faun, the Silenus, and the Narcissus, yet in this branch of art the remains
discovered at Pompeii are but small in comparison with the vast treasures
of sculpture collected from other quarters.
Mosaic, or the art of inlaying in various coloured stones, was at first
only employed in pavements, and consisted of a few simple patterns. By
degrees, and under the successors of Alexander, it obtained a higher
development, and began, by the representation of objects, to emulate paint-
ing. The first eminent artist in this way whom we find mentioned is Sosus
of Pergamus; who in one of his pieces imitated the unswept floor of a dining
room, with a vessel full of water on it, upon the sides of which were a dove
drinking, and others sunning themselves. Copies of this celebrated work
have been found at Hadrian’s Villa near Tivoli, and at Naples. The
materials of this art at first consisted of pieces of stone, marble, or coloured
clay; at a later period, even precious stones were used, and at last coloured
glass, as at present. At Pompeii this art was employed not only for floors, but
also for wall-paintings—of which there is a specimen in the House of Apollo
—and even for the decoration of columns. Many fine specimens were
discovered there, among which may be mentioned two bearing the name of
Dioscorides, and representing comic scenes. The House of the Faun was
particularly rich in mosaics. Here were found a beautiful border on the
threshold of the atrium, consisting of masks, wreaths, &c. considered to be
one of the finest specimens of decorative mosaic. Also, in one of the rooms
of the same house, the pretty design of Acratus riding on a panther; but,
above all, the celebrated Battle of Issus, the largest and finest mosaic in the
world, though unfortunately much damaged. Its situation in the National
Museum does not allow a photograph of it to be taken, and as its subject
could not be well explained without an engraving, we forbear to enter
into it.
CHISWICK PRESS:—PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND WILKINS,
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.
Faun, the Silenus, and the Narcissus, yet in this branch of art the remains
discovered at Pompeii are but small in comparison with the vast treasures
of sculpture collected from other quarters.
Mosaic, or the art of inlaying in various coloured stones, was at first
only employed in pavements, and consisted of a few simple patterns. By
degrees, and under the successors of Alexander, it obtained a higher
development, and began, by the representation of objects, to emulate paint-
ing. The first eminent artist in this way whom we find mentioned is Sosus
of Pergamus; who in one of his pieces imitated the unswept floor of a dining
room, with a vessel full of water on it, upon the sides of which were a dove
drinking, and others sunning themselves. Copies of this celebrated work
have been found at Hadrian’s Villa near Tivoli, and at Naples. The
materials of this art at first consisted of pieces of stone, marble, or coloured
clay; at a later period, even precious stones were used, and at last coloured
glass, as at present. At Pompeii this art was employed not only for floors, but
also for wall-paintings—of which there is a specimen in the House of Apollo
—and even for the decoration of columns. Many fine specimens were
discovered there, among which may be mentioned two bearing the name of
Dioscorides, and representing comic scenes. The House of the Faun was
particularly rich in mosaics. Here were found a beautiful border on the
threshold of the atrium, consisting of masks, wreaths, &c. considered to be
one of the finest specimens of decorative mosaic. Also, in one of the rooms
of the same house, the pretty design of Acratus riding on a panther; but,
above all, the celebrated Battle of Issus, the largest and finest mosaic in the
world, though unfortunately much damaged. Its situation in the National
Museum does not allow a photograph of it to be taken, and as its subject
could not be well explained without an engraving, we forbear to enter
into it.
CHISWICK PRESS:—PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND WILKINS,
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.