
Roman Marine Mosaic, 2nd Century Bc

by Science Source
Title
Roman Marine Mosaic, 2nd Century Bc
Artist
Science Source
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The House of the Faun, built during the 2nd century BC, was one of the largest and most impressive private residences in Pompeii, Italy, and housed many great pieces of art. It is one of the most luxurious aristocratic houses from the Roman republic, and reflects this period better than most archaeological evidence found even in Rome itself. Marine fauna mosaic, from the House of the Faun, depicts over twenty forms of fish, shellfish and eels. At center, an octopus attacks a lobster. Surrounding them are dogfish, morays, sea basses, sea breams, mullets, and electric rays. Roman mosaics are constructed from geometrical blocks called tesserae, placed together to create the shapes of figures, motifs and patterns. Materials for tesserae were obtained from local sources of natural stone, with the additions of cut brick, tile and pottery creating colored shades of, predominantly, blue, black, red, white and yellow. Polychrome patterns were most common, but monochrome examples are known. The mosaic is displayed in the Archeological Museum of Naples, Italy.
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July 31st, 2017
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