and lighted by a window in the outer wall, has also a white coved
ceiling. The upper part of the walls is white, the dado black, and the
remaining interval blue. Three graceful female figures floating in
separate panels are Bacchantes; they have no wings. The picture
surrounded by blue opposite the door, represents a sitting Endymion; he
holds a branch in his right hand, and a staff leaning on his left
shoulder; the drapery is pink; at his feet a stag,[57] with horns and
blue collar, may be regarded as the emblem of Diana, whose favourite he
was. (See Greek Court, No. 33). The background is composed of rocks with
a square tower in the centre. The subject of Endymion was a very
favourite one among the Pompeians. He was sometimes represented, as
here, entranced awaiting the arrival of the goddess, at other times
sleeping, and the goddess gazing upon him, with his dog starting in
surprise at the visitor. Not unfrequently a Cupid is introduced leading
Diana by the hand, holding a whip, as if she had just descended from her
chariot of night. Whenever the goddess is present Endymion is always
represented asleep. On the wall next the door facing the other picture
is a square painting of Venus fishing. She sits on a rock on the right
hand side, her yellow hair bound with a myrtle wreath, the lower part of
her figure enveloped in green drapery; a fish has attached itself to the
line of the rod which she holds in her right hand, and Cupid with blue
wings, sitting on a rock across the water, expresses great joy at his
mother’s success, which is evinced by his lively action. A piece of red
drapery upon which he kneels adds greatly to the harmony of the picture.
This subject of Venus angling is also frequently repeated; sometimes
Cupid holds the fish basket, and in other cases he angles also. (See
cubiculum 15.)
[57] On a closer examination I perceive that the animal is wounded,
and the picture therefore represents Cyparissus, who killed a
favourite stag by accident, and was transformed into the cypress. The
picture is mentioned by Mr. Falkener (page 51).