1. Portrait of Terentius Neo and his Wife

2. The Basics 52 cm high 62-79 AD Fourth Style Wall
From a house attributed to Pacuvius Proculus
Proculus a baker, but later evidence led experts to change house ID to Terentius Neo, a lawyer
Realistic

3. Description
Hair style fashionable 1st century BC

4. Artistic Features
Frontal styles, bodies angled towards each other. Head and torso only
Light and shade – careful study of ambient light, with highlights and shading giving realism to clothing and features
Skin tones – light and dark
Plain background – does not distract

5. Conventions
Stylus and tablet appear on other Pompeian paintings, e.g Sappho. A motif (artictic convention) which was fashionable 1st cent AD. May have no connection to subject matter.
Way she holds tablet (diptych), open so he can see what is written – message is that there are no secrets here
Sappho Portrait
Scroll significant – Marriage contract? Wedding picture?

6. A love of browns and reds
Colours

7. Style – use arrows to match the points to the painting
No attempt at idealisation
With his straggly moustache and beard, large crease on his forehead, big ears and rather bony features, the young man is no Apollo or Adonis
Women’s grace and elegance contrasts her partner
One could almost conclude that he is aware he is not her social equal
Nevertheless, with his frank and honest gaze, he creates a sympathetic response in the viewer