Polyphemus and Galatea, 50-20 BC (fresco)

Italy, Campania, Naples, National Archaeological Museum, Room LXIX, inv. 9244. Whole artwork view. On a badge with metallic grotesques decorated with erotes alternated with dionysiac masks, can be distinguished two representations: on the right, an ochre frame with a long-haired satire mask and terrific expression, behind which can be seen a purple gate; on the left, a picture representing the myth of Galathea, sitting backwards on a rock, wearing a yellow mantle and her hair gathered up, looking at a three-quarter male figure with the pastoral stick, who is identified with the shepherd Aci or Polyphemus, while staring at his lover and stretching out his arm towards her; in the background, a rocky landscape with votive pillars and statues of divinities, among which that of Priapus; from Ercolano.