Two Paintings of the Graces

Two Paintings of the Graces

Pausanias tells us (Book 9. 35. 1-7) that while it was normal in his time the 2nd century AD to depict the Graces as nude he has seen older works of art in which they are clothed but alas none of those works survived even as Roman mosaic copies.

However here's one Roman era fresco from Pompeii that did.

and here to demonstrate Classical Influences on later art Raphael's depiction of the Graces.

The Aphrodisias Graces

This is the oldest image I could find online. Oldest in being the oldest surviving image. We know from pausanias there were older paintings and sculptures but none have survived. Aphrodisias is a city of Asia Minor now Turkey.

Editorial note bumping this for upcoming IWD

Maillol's 3 Graces

One favorite theme in Western art that dates back to Classical Greek culture and  is still used by modern artists is  that of the 3 Graces.

Here's a beautiful example by Aristide Maillol that demonstrated how the art of ancient Greece inspires us today.