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Portrait of Terentius Neo and his Wife. The Basics. 52 cm high 62-79 AD Fourth Style Wall From a house attributed to Pacuvius Proculus Proculus a baker, but later evidence led experts to change house ID to Terentius Neo, a lawyer Realistic. Description.
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The Basics • 52 cm high • 62-79 AD • Fourth Style Wall • From a house attributed to Pacuvius Proculus • Proculus a baker, but later evidence led experts to change house ID to Terentius Neo, a lawyer • Realistic
Description Hair style fashionable 1st century BC
Artistic Features • Frontal styles, bodies angled towards each other. Head and torso only • Light and shade – careful study of ambient light, with highlights and shading giving realism to clothing and features • Skin tones – light and dark • Plain background – does not distract
Conventions Stylus and tablet appear on other Pompeian paintings, e.g Sappho. A motif (artictic convention) which was fashionable 1st cent AD. May have no connection to subject matter. Way she holds tablet (diptych), open so he can see what is written – message is that there are no secrets here Sappho Portrait Scroll significant – Marriage contract? Wedding picture?
A love of browns and reds Colours
Style – use arrows to match the points to the painting • No attempt at idealisation • With his straggly moustache and beard, large crease on his forehead, big ears and rather bony features, the young man is no Apollo or Adonis • Women’s grace and elegance contrasts her partner • One could almost conclude that he is aware he is not her social equal • Nevertheless, with his frank and honest gaze, he creates a sympathetic response in the viewer