| Paintings and mosaics in Pompeii and Ercolano: |
Funeral processio
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 This
stone is for the moment the only testimony to painted tombs in
Molise, in what was the territory of the Pentri Samnites. In
possession of the Naples Museum since 1855, it was part of the
upper frieze of a chamber- or half-chamber type tomb, but exact
details of its discovery are unknown and this lack of
information about its origins means it is difficult to making a
dating on the mere basis of stylistic evidence.
The small figures have been clumsily sketched by a hand which
drew and then coloured rather than actually paint. Suffice it to
look at the portrayal of the woman's drapery and the absolute
stiffness of the male figure's clothing and Hermes' cloak. This
deity, whom we can recognise from the petasus and caduceus, is
offering Charon an obolus so that he might ferry the deceased
woman who is waiting slightly to one side for her turn to reach
the Elysian Fields. The opulence of the next world is probably
symbolised by a cornucopia, seen on the left-hand side, brimming
with fruit and decorated with bands. This is the interpretation
that is normally given to this scene even though this is an
unusual representation of the ferryman who is normally portrayed
on his boat. His occupation is hinted at, however, by the
presence of an oar placed vertically between him and the
cornucopia.
Bibliography: A. Giuliano, R. Bianchi Bandinelli, Etruschi e
Italici prima del dominio di Roma, 1973, fig. 276; D. Giampaola,
Isernia, in Sannio. Pentri e Frentani dal VI al I sec. a.C.,
Roma 1980, pp. 358-359
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Fonte: MANN
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