Harbour Scene at Stabiae
• 24.5 cm
high, roughly
square
• 60-70AD
• Originall from
villa at
Stabiae; now
in Museo
Nazionale,
Naples
Fact File
“A gem of ancient topographical painting”
Statues on
columns
Colonnaded
precint
temple
4 large boats
3-storey
building with
colonnades
Colonnaded
street
Arch with
triton, trumpet
and octopus
Yellow dots
(people?)
Arched gate
lighthouse?
Pier on arches
Bridge-shaped
rock
3 small boats
Harbour
entrance
Two Perspectives
Commonly used combination in
Roman art to prvovide a “conceptual
truth” - shows what really was there
even though some things may have
been hidden
Aerial
Linear
How does the painter achieve depth?
Impressionism
Just a few
brushstrokes
to capture
essential
structure of
the building
• Not naturalistic
• Style called “impressionistic”
Sketchy outlines
– a suggestion,
rather than a
detailed
accurate
representation
Hinting at
human
form
Colours
White on purple
predominates
blue for water and and sky
pink
yellow