DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61617#0526
WALL DECORATION
449
examination, the left wall of the atrium in the house of Sallust
(Fig. 250).
Notwithstanding the lack of color in our illustration, the
divisions of the wall are plainly seen — a dado, painted yellow;
a relatively low middle division, the upper edge of which is ■ set
off by a projecting cornice; and an upper part reaching from
the first cornice, which appears in three sections on account of
the doors, to the ceiling. The surface of the main part of the
wall is moulded in stucco to represent slabs or blocks with bev-
elled edges, which are painted in imitation of different kinds of
marble. Above the high double doors opening into rooms con-
nected with the atrium, frames of lattice-work for the admission
of air and light have been assumed in our restoration.
The dado in the Incrustation Style is generally treated as a
separate member; in rare instances the imitation of marble
blocks is extended to the floor. It has a smooth surface and is
painted a bright color, usually yellow; there is no suggestion
of the practice of later times, which gave a darker color to the
base than to the rest of the wall. This independent handling
is undoubtedly to be explained as a survival from a previous
decorative system, in which the lower part of the wall, as at
Tiryns, was protected by a baseboard; the conventional yellow
color with which it is painted, as in the case of the lower stripe
of the Doric architrave in the house of the Faun (p. 51), is a
reminiscence of the use of wood. The upper edge of the dado
was ordinarily distinguished by a smooth, narrow projecting
band or fillet.
The blocks moulded in slight relief upon the main part of the
wall are of different sizes. In our illustration we see first a
series of three large slabs, which are painted black. Above
these are three narrow blocks of magenta. The rest present
a considerable variety of size and color, until we reach those
just under the cornice, which again are all of the same shade,
magenta.
The cornice in this style is always of the Ionic type, with
dentils. In many cases, as that of the bedroom in the house
of the Centaur, it serves as an upper border for the decora-
tion, the wall above being unpainted. Sometimes, however, the
2 G
449
examination, the left wall of the atrium in the house of Sallust
(Fig. 250).
Notwithstanding the lack of color in our illustration, the
divisions of the wall are plainly seen — a dado, painted yellow;
a relatively low middle division, the upper edge of which is ■ set
off by a projecting cornice; and an upper part reaching from
the first cornice, which appears in three sections on account of
the doors, to the ceiling. The surface of the main part of the
wall is moulded in stucco to represent slabs or blocks with bev-
elled edges, which are painted in imitation of different kinds of
marble. Above the high double doors opening into rooms con-
nected with the atrium, frames of lattice-work for the admission
of air and light have been assumed in our restoration.
The dado in the Incrustation Style is generally treated as a
separate member; in rare instances the imitation of marble
blocks is extended to the floor. It has a smooth surface and is
painted a bright color, usually yellow; there is no suggestion
of the practice of later times, which gave a darker color to the
base than to the rest of the wall. This independent handling
is undoubtedly to be explained as a survival from a previous
decorative system, in which the lower part of the wall, as at
Tiryns, was protected by a baseboard; the conventional yellow
color with which it is painted, as in the case of the lower stripe
of the Doric architrave in the house of the Faun (p. 51), is a
reminiscence of the use of wood. The upper edge of the dado
was ordinarily distinguished by a smooth, narrow projecting
band or fillet.
The blocks moulded in slight relief upon the main part of the
wall are of different sizes. In our illustration we see first a
series of three large slabs, which are painted black. Above
these are three narrow blocks of magenta. The rest present
a considerable variety of size and color, until we reach those
just under the cornice, which again are all of the same shade,
magenta.
The cornice in this style is always of the Ionic type, with
dentils. In many cases, as that of the bedroom in the house
of the Centaur, it serves as an upper border for the decora-
tion, the wall above being unpainted. Sometimes, however, the
2 G