Ettore Forti, Pompeian Scene, Second Half Of The 19th Century

Ettore Forti (1850–1940), Scene from Pompeii, second half of the 19th century.

Oil on canvas, 57 x 98.5 cm.
Signed “E. Forti Roma” lower right.

The painting depicts a historical genre scene set in a Roman or Pompeian context. The moment chosen is peculiar: during a procession, the emperor, escorted in a richly decorated sedan chair, reprimands a man who, in a drunken stupor, has stripped naked. In ancient Roman culture, in fact, a certain modesty of conduct was expected, especially in public: those who behaved excessively were deemed to be in violation of Roman morality.

Forti’s painting stands out for its great attention to detail. The setting is masterfully reconstructed in every detail: the table in the corner crowded with jugs, glasses, and leftovers scattered both on top of and at the foot of it; the classical-style architecture in the background, with the obelisk and the surrounding buildings rendered in full detail. Also noteworthy is the meticulous detail with which he renders the litter: finely carved wood with elaborate ornaments such as sphinxes on the canopy columns, stones set into the upper structure, and the arched roof featuring palmettes, eagles, and two statues—a hippocampus and a winged Victory. 
Furthermore, Forti often used very intense colors in his paintings: Pompeian red, turquoise, and deep blue.

In this canvas, the artist does not limit himself to merely depicting a scene in historical costumes, but also emphasizes the dramatic power of the characters through their expressive faces and gestures.