Terentius Nero and His Wife

• • • Size: 65cm high, 58cm wide Date: 62-79 AD Style: Fourth Style • From a house attributed to Pacuvius Proculus (House VII.2.6) • • The house belonged to Terentius Nero, a lawyer and Terentius Proculus, a baker.

Realistic

The “Sappho Portrait”

Questions:

• • • • • • • • Why the stylus and the tablet? Is the woman a writer?

What might the scroll be?

Explain why these objects may be termed as “artistic conventions”.

In what way is this a realistic depiction?

How is the background rendered? How is the illusions of depth created? Give TWO examples. How do we know it is Terentius Nero and his wife? From which direction is the light coming in the portrait? Give ONE • piece of evidence for your answer.

Explain how the artist has used colour to suggest a difference between • lifestyles of the man and woman Explain why the portrait of the man is realistic rather that idealistic. Support your answer with TWO examples from the portrait.