near the altar on which she is to perish, the
artist depicts profound grief on the faces of those who are present,
especially of Menelaus; then, having exhausted all the symbols of
sorrow, he veils the father's countenance, finding it impossible to give
a befitting expression." This was, according to Pliny, the work of
Timanthus, and such is exactly the reproduction of it as it was found in
the house of the poet at Pompeii.

This Iphigenia and the Medea in the house of Castor and Pollux,
recalling the masterpiece of Timomachos the Byzantine are the only two
Pompeian pictures which reproduce well-known paintings; but let us not,
for that reason, conclude that the others are original. The painters of
the little city were neither creators nor copyists, but very free
imitators, varying familiar subjects to suit themselves. Hence, that
variety which surprises us in their reproductions of the same subject.
Indeed, I have seen, at least ten Ariadnes surprised by Bacchus, and
there are no two alike. Hence, also, that ease and freedom of touch
indicating that the decorative artists executing them felt quite at
their ease. Assuredly, their efforts, which are of quite unequal merit,
are not models of correctness by any means; faults of drawing and
proportion, traits of awkwardness and heedlessness, swarm in them; but
let anybody pick out a sub-prefecture of 30,000 inhabitants, in France,
and say to the painters of the district: "Here, my good friends, just go
to work and tear off those sheets of colored paper that you find pasted
upon the walls of rooms and saloons in every direction, and paint there
in place of them socles and friezes, devotional images, _genre_
pictures, and historical pieces summing up the ideas, creeds, manners
and tastes, of our time in such sort that were the Pyrenees, the
Cevennes, or the Jura Alps, to crumble upon you to-morrow, future
generations, on digging up your houses and your masterpieces, might
there study the life of our period although it will be antiquity for
them."... What would the painters of the place be apt to do or say? I
think I may reply, with all respect to them, that they would at least be
greatly embarrassed.

But, on their part, the Pompeians were not a whit put out when they came
to repaint their whole city afresh. Would you like to get an accurate
idea of their real merit and their indisputable value? If so, ask some
one to conduct you through the houses that have been lately exhu