Venus in Pompeii : iconography and context
This thesis investigates the significance of representations of Venus and their spatial contexts in Pompeii. The database for this thesis comprises 197 representations of Venus in Pompeii, of which 162 are from domestic contexts. This is the first time a comprehensive study of images of a single deity in Pompeii has been undertaken. I identify and compare the different types of Venus representations within domestic contexts and their locations. I also compare them with those from public contexts to ascertain any wider trends regarding artworks featuring Venus across Pompeii and to assess whether the public or domestic context of an artwork featuring Venus affected its content or location. I adopt a quantitative approach based on my database so that my conclusions are substantiated by numerical data. This is a departure from the more qualitative approach previously taken to relationships between decoration and room function. This thesis concludes that Venus does not occur more often in areas pertaining to her spheres of influence (such as bath areas and gardens) compared with other areas of the house. It is relatively rare in domestic contexts for the room type to influence the content of artworks featuring
Brain, Carla Alexandra
Venus in Pompeii : iconography and context. This thesis investigates the significance of representations of Venus and their spatial contexts in Pompeii. The database for this thesis comprises 197 representations of Venus in Pompeii, of which 162 are from domestic contexts. This is the first time a comprehensive study of images of a single deity in Pompeii has been undertaken. I identify and compare the different types of Venus representations within domestic contexts and their locations. I also compare them with those from public contexts to ascertain any wider trends regarding artworks featuring Venus across Pompeii and to assess whether the public or domestic context of an artwork featuring Venus affected its content or location. I adopt a quantitative approach based on my database so that my conclusions are substantiated by numerical data. This is a departure from the more qualitative approach previously taken to relationships between decoration and room function. This thesis concludes that Venus does not occur more often in areas pertaining to her spheres of influence (such as bath areas and gardens) compared with other areas of the house. It is relatively rare in domestic contexts for the room type to influence the content of artworks featuring
pompeii iconography context investigates significance representation spatial context pompeii database comprise representation pompeii domestic context first_time comprehensive_study image single deity pompeii undertaken identify compare different_type representation within domestic context location also compare public context ascertain wider trend regard artwork feature across pompeii ass_whether public domestic context artwork feature affect content location adopt quantitative base database conclusion substantiate numerical data departure qualitative previously take relationship decoration room function concludes occur often area pertain sphere_influence bath area garden compare area house relatively rare domestic context room type influence content artwork feature