Lecture 20 - Hellenistic painting and mosaic Flashcards
E.g. Pebble mosaic of Bellerophon
Bellerophon killing the chimera from the andron of a house in Olynthos, early 4th century BCE. Shows mythological creatures - griffins. Colours are limited to the pebbles you can acquire. Minimal modelling, 2D effect.
E.g. Dionysus on a Panther
Pebble mosaic from the House of Dionysus, Pella 325-3– BCE. Shows connection with the east. More attention to detail than the pebble mosaic of Bellerophon.
E.g. Lion hunt mosaic
Pebble mosaic of a lion hunt (maybe Alexander and Krateros?), House of Dionysus, Pella, 325-300 BCE. Set up after Alexander’s death. Figures are very Classical - striding pose like the Tyrannicides. Still limited design and colouring due to the pebbles. Smaller pebbles used to show ground. Figures outline with lead which adds volume and definition.
E.g. Stag hunt mosaic
Pebble mosaic, signed by Gnosis, late 4th century BCE. Detail and dramatic action - influence of the tyrannicides, sense of ‘pathos’, shows exhaustion, stylistically much better modelling than previously (compare). Takes the technique a far as pebble mosaics can go.
E.g. Dionysus riding panther mosaic
Made up of smaller specific pieces of stone suh as terracotta and glass. From the House of the Masks, 150-100 BCE. Shows incredible detail and skill, new materials than before (compare), Dionysus is holding thrysos suggesting drinking and partying.
E.g. Mosaic of un-swept floor
From the Aventine Hill, 2nd cenutry CE. Roman copy by Herakleitos of 2nd century BCE Hellenistic original by Sosus of Pergamon. Has a comical element, unique subject.
E.g. Mosaic of musicians
By Dioskourides of Samos, Villa of Cicero, Pompeii 100 BCE. Probably actors of new comedy. High detail seen in the shadows and use of colour - figures stand out.
E.g. Mosaic of doves
Hadrian’s villa, Tivali 2nd CE copy of a 2nd c BCE original by Sosus of Pergamon. Sense of water rippling, different tones of the bowl, oval shape suggests it is receding.
