Mirror with Bathing Scene on the Back (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Roman mirrors with scenes from daily life are very rare. Atop a column in the background stands a statue of Aphrodite, indicating that this bathing scene takes place at a shrine to the goddess of love. The motif of bathing women was first explored by Greek artists and then spread to Etruscan and Roman art. Ancient mirrors had a highly polished reflective surface while the back was often decorated.
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
“LOOK HERE: Dazzle,” Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond, VA): 2 November 2005-29 January 2006; Piedmont Arts Association (Martinsville, VA): 3 March-23 April 2006.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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