Terentius Nero and His Wife

• Size: 65cm high, 58cm wide• Date: 62-79 AD• Style: Fourth Style• From a house attributed to Pacuvius Proculus (House VII.2.6)• The house belonged to Terentius Nero, a lawyer and Terentius Proculus, a baker.• Realistic

The “Sappho Portrait”

Questions:• Why the stylus and the tablet? Is the woman a writer?• What might the scroll be?• Explain why these objects may be termed as “artistic conventions”.• In what way is this a realistic depiction?• How is the background rendered? • How is the illusions of depth created? Give TWO examples. • How do we know it is Terentius Nero and his wife? • From which direction is the light coming in the portrait? Give ONE piece of evidence for your answer.• Explain how the artist has used colour to suggest a difference between lifestyles of the man and woman• Explain why the portrait of the man is realistic rather that idealistic. Support your answer with TWO examples from the portrait.