In the Archaeological Museum, Naples

The National Archaeological Museum in Naples is one of the finest museums in the country, easily on par with the museums of Rome.

John and I spent our first visit entirely on the top floor, looking at frescos. On our return we looked at mosaics and sculpture. These mosaics are from the House of the Dancing Faun in Pompeii -- and there is the faun himself.

Their mosaics on theatrical themes are delightful.

John got this great detail from a mosaic of well-observed Pompeian fish.

 I was drawn to this panther paired with Dionysian cult paraphernalia

and John got a lovely detail with his phone. 

 Many mosaics feature scenes of the Nile. The artist has certainly sharpened the teeth of the hippopotamus.

Look at this decorative wall niche from Pompeii. Stunning. 

Let's go on to the sculpture rooms. The famous Farnese Hercules is topped by a modern canopy by Chinese artist, Cai Guo-Qiang. We approve of the recent curatorial trend of introducing modern artworks into historical collections.

Here John and I used each other to illustrate the size of the marble figures from the Vesuvian sites. John has paired me with a monumental figure of Pomona.

 and I have placed him with a Warrior with Child (Achilles and Troilus) from early 3rd century AD.

 Visitors are intrigued by the powerful Harmodios and Aristogeiton, the tyrant slayers.

Here is a detail.

Not sure what visitors make of this rather possessive dolphin.

Or this amorous faun from the Villa dei Papyri in Herculaneum.

A dog of Imperial Rome.

Ganymede with the Eagle. Always fun to see people and their pets.

 Apollo with lyre, First century AD copy of a Greek original.

 At present there is a special exhibition of Canova's Neoclassical sculpture. John caught this family of admirers absorbed in their audio-guide in front of one of his athletes.

Some major works from the collection are currently at the Hermitage in Russia. We missed seeing this bronze runner. John photographed this book cover because this striking image is an inspiration to our own photography.