Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1832)

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DESCRIPTION OF

PLATE LXXXIII.

DREAM OF RHEA.

Plate LXXXIII. is a picture which, pro-
bably, was taken from the house of Ceres,
but was removed before the author saw it.
It then went under the name of Flora and
Zephyr; and, as usually happens when so
few are really possessed of good taste, this,
which is, in fact, one of the worst com-
positions of the ancients, has been more ad-
mired, and has been the subject of more
praise and more dissertations, than any thing
at Pompeii.

It represents, according to one, Peleus
upon a rock having caught the unwilling
Thetis asleep. Her nymphs are near, and
Love invites him to seize this favourable
opportunity for pressing his suit.

According to another, Rhea Sylvia, the
priestess of Vesta, is asleep. Near her is a
little winged genius of somnolence. Above,
Morpheus ejects from a horn the sleepy
draught. Mars, guided by two cupids, ap-