of Medusa to Andromeda, reflected in the water at their feet; as the
direct sight of the Gorgon’s visage turned all to stone, the conceit
here adopted is very pretty. It was popular in Pompeii, and frequently
repeated. When Perseus was about to encounter Medusa, Minerva gave him a
polished shield, by the assistance of which he cut off her head without
the peril that had attended so many others, being guided through his
enterprise by the reflection in the shield. The composition of this
picture is very elegant. It is surrounded by bright red. On both sides
of the centre are rich architectural ranges of columns in two tiers. The
coffered ceilings represented are worthy of observation. Before the
columns, at the lower part, are bright blue doorways, in which lie comic
masks. To the right and left of these central compartments are large
yellow panels, each containing a floating female figure without wings.
The one to the left holds a pedum in her right hand and a vintage basket
with fruit in the left. The drapery is blue lined with purple. The
female to the right, dressed in white and crimson edged with blue, has
bare feet and holds a lyre and plectrum; both these females have
bracelets. Between the masks, under the principal picture, is a black
frieze with admirably-painted greenish marine monsters. The dado of
these walls is black. The picture and Bacchantes are copied from the
House with the Coloured Capitals.