one. The main central picture of this Ala represents the rescue of
Andromeda. This painting affords an interesting comparison with the
bas-relief in the Greek Court, No. 35, where the same subject is
represented. The treatment of the principal figures in the painting is
much more sculpturesque than in the bas-relief. In the former the
rescued lady stands attitudinizing on a rock, like a statue on a
pedestal; her drapery is unruffled, and there is no sign of emotion in
the figure prompted either by love, or the recollection of her recent
perilous situation. In the latter there is a wild flutter about the
drapery of Andromeda. She is descending from the rock with an evident
confidence and dependence on her deliverer; and his firm manly pose in
the sculpture is characteristic of the hero. The freedom, however, in
the lines, is more pictorial in the bas-relief. The group as exhibited
in our Pompeian picture, is excellently adapted for modelling in
isolated statues. Compare Mus. Bor., vol. vi., tav. 50.
In this picture Perseus has yellow sandals and blue talaria. The action
of the hand to conceal the Gorgon’s head is not so successful as in the
sculpture; it is offensive to the spectator to see that openly which is
supposed to carry so much horror with it. On the ground, at the feet of
Andromeda, is a yellow casket, a white fan with red handle, and several
white cockle shells, scattered on the ground, which give an appearance
of petty detail. Two females are sitting on the rocks to the left, and
seem to be gazing upon the vanquished monster rolling at the feet of
Andromeda. The sword which Perseus bears is worth notice. It is the
_falx_, and has a peculiar hook to it used for pruning. The falx and
talaria or heel wings, are characteristic of Perseus. The graceful
figures on each side of this central picture are from a house near the
forum. To the left, a Cupid, with purple drapery, is supporting a
pale-blue vase. Psyche, with purple butterfly wings and blue and green
drapery, soars above, and seems helping to lift the vase by the handles.
It forms a charming group. To the right of the chief picture are two
Cupids carrying a basket with double arched handle. Both these groups
are on a yellow ground.