Here we have an erotic fresco from Pompeii, which, while not showing any naughty bits, has the author all a twitter about amorous desires, and fornicating folk stripped of dignity.
Spinthria.
Width, 18 22/25 inches.
PLATE XLIV.
"THIS fresco, found at Pompeii, is unquestionably, as regards merit of execution, one of the most remarkable of them all. We stated in our Introduction that obscene paintings entered at Rome into the domain of second-rate painters; but, making allowance for the decline of the art, it cannot be doubted that the author of this fresco must have been a very skilful artist for his time. Contrary to usage, we here find some expression in the features of the two actors: their attitude has nothing trivial; it has that natural character stripped of dignity which strikes and humiliates us, even at the moment when our imagination is fascinated by amorous desires. As is usual with natives of the South, the flesh-tints of the hero of this scene are of a very decided brown. The right arm of the woman, resting on her haunch, doubtless leaves something to be desired; but it is a foreshortening--a rock against which more than one modern painter has split.
A mere glance at this plate suffices us to guess the subject of it; and indeed it would be rather difficult to explain it in sober language."
-- Colonel Fanin
You can read the entire opus "The Secret Erotic Paintings" at Google Books. Or, go see all the lovely people, pan, satyrs and goats in colour at The Royal Museum at Naples. Colonel Fanin's writing is truly a delight. He goes from rational assessment, to pearl-clutching disgust with but the flip of a comma.
And they said the internet was only good for porn. Hah!
What? She lost a contact lens, and is picking it up. Happened all the time in Rome. It took the Abyssinians to perfect the contact lens, in BC 1123. You'll notice this sort of painting fades away around that time.
ReplyDeleteYou are so well read. I had no idea of the technological brilliance of the era. Man, the Dark Ages really put the boots to progress. We really should have jet packs by not. Fucking Catholic church.
ReplyDelete