Large Fragment of a Wall Painting with a Hunting Scene on the Nile

Culture: Roman

Period: 1st century A.D.

Material: Lime plaster with dry powder pigment

Dimensions: 36 cm x 109.8 cm (fresco); 42 cm x 115 cm (stone plate)

Price: Sold

Ref: 3675

Provenance: London art market 1980. There acquired by Dr. William Conte. Thence Christie's auction New York on 9 December 2010, lot 157. Last in a Swiss private collection.

Condition: Overall in its size, preservation and scenic complexity an extraordinarily important fresco in a private estate. The fresco was mounted with the plaster on a light stone plate which is perforated at the back for suspension. Breaks on the fresco were professionally restored and retouched. Colors are very beautifully and stably preserved.

Description: Important and extraordinarily large fragment of a Roman wall painting in the 4th Pompeian style depicting a hunting scene on the Nile. In the centre of the painting a startled animal, possibly a hippopotamus which has his massive body straightened and is looking back. An ibis stands on the back of the animal and calmly pecks for insects. On the left, one can see why the hippopotamus has suddenly become upset. A ship approaches the animal, on the bow stands a hunter with a long trumpet which he holds to the head of the hippopotamus. On the right stands another hunter on the rocky shore with a spear in his right hand and two staffs in the left one. He wears a short red tunic and already expects the prey. In between a duck. On the right a small hunting hut with open door and rectangular reed roof. The scene is bordered by a dark red band. An important fresco due to its size and dynamic depiction. See for animal- and river depictions in the Pompeian style 4 “I Pittori di Pompei. Affreschi romani dal Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli”, catalogue for the exhibtion at the Museo Civico Archeologico Bologna from 23 September 2022 to 19 March 2023, No. 72 as well as 77-81. Mounted on a cast stone plate for suspension on the wall.