Getty Museum

Wall Fragment with Winged Female (Nike) on Black Ground

Date

A.D. 50–79

Medium

Fresco

Culture

Roman

Department

Paintings

Institution

Getty Museum

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 colorful, enduring works of art, which crack due to the settling of building walls. Ancient Roman artists sometimes used fresco to enliven walls in dark, enclosed interior spaces.

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