3-035-823 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Wall Fragment with Winged Female (Nike) on Black Ground, A.D. 50-79. Additional Info: This fresco portrays Nike, the Greek goddess of victory with her wings extended while holding two garlands. Fresco painting was one of the most popular methods of wall decoration in ancient Rome. A wall would first be covered with fresh plaster. Pigments were then dissolved in water and applied to the wet plaster. The combination of minerals in the pigment and carbon dioxide in the air created a solid surface upon drying. Ancient fresco painting yields colourful, enduring works of art, which crack due to the settling of building walls.