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The Tomb Of The Diver: The Only Surviving Painting from Ancient Greece with Madeleine Love

The Tomb Of The Diver: The Only Surviving Painting from Ancient Greece with Madeleine Love


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Who is this young man? Why is he diving? Where do these waters lead? Dive in to the subterranean world of greek mythology and Ancient Greek wall painting with art historian Madeleine Love on this exploration of the only surviving example of wall painting from the Ancient Greek world. 

This virtual seminar will explore the significance of this work and unlock some of the mysteries behind its enigmatic subject matter. While there are an abundance of examples of Roman fresco paintings, inspired from the Greeks, The Tomb Of The Diver is the only surviving example of wall painting dating back to Ancient Greece. It is a depiction that has inspired and intrigued artists and historians since its discovery in 1968 by Mario Napoli, on the outskirts of the ancient city of Paestum, Magna Graecia. In this seminar we will look the historical context surrounding the work and explore the composition, analysis of pigments used and its symbolism. We will explore how this work offers us a glimpse into the afterlife of the Ancient Greeks. Was it an Orphic cult? Or a depiction emblematic of more common funerary practices. We will discuss the potential for a strong aesthetic influence from the Etruscans and how this work contributes to the evolution of mural painting in the West. 

Led by expert art historian and artist Madeleine Love, who specializes in the evolution of hellenic and pre hellenic fresco wall paintings within the Mediterranean and beyond. This conversation will uncover some of the mysteries behind this rare and iconic work. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the origins of painting in the western world and the lost paintings of Ancient Greece. 

Madeleine Love is passionate about the origins of painting and the art of ancient fresco. Madeleine specializes in tracing the evolution of fresco within the Mediterranean from early to late antiquity. As an artist and art historian her practice is concerned with the exploration of technique and materials used by ancient and pre historic cultures which inform her research and insight into iconic moments of culture and art history.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
80%
(4)
0%
(0)
20%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Anonymous (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

J
J (Vancouver, CA)
Stunning frescos near Paestum in Italy

This was new to me and I found it most interesting. Especially about the connection with Tarquinia and the Etruscans,

L
Lucy H (Hatfield, GB)
Enjoyable and very informative

Very interesting, great visuals and lots of fascinating detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and will seek out more from this expert.

B
Becca (Pasadena, US)

Guest did not leave comment

I
Ingrid Arden (San Francisco, US)
Could’ve been better

Interesting subject, the presenter was knowledgeable, however she is a poor speaker with every sentence peppered with “um” and “so”, to the point that it was hard to enjoy!

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
80%
(4)
0%
(0)
20%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Anonymous (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

J
J (Vancouver, CA)
Stunning frescos near Paestum in Italy

This was new to me and I found it most interesting. Especially about the connection with Tarquinia and the Etruscans,

L
Lucy H (Hatfield, GB)
Enjoyable and very informative

Very interesting, great visuals and lots of fascinating detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and will seek out more from this expert.

B
Becca (Pasadena, US)

Guest did not leave comment

I
Ingrid Arden (San Francisco, US)
Could’ve been better

Interesting subject, the presenter was knowledgeable, however she is a poor speaker with every sentence peppered with “um” and “so”, to the point that it was hard to enjoy!