Italy

Attractive image most likely to have been published for an Italian museum publication. This first century AD Neo-Attic relief sculpture is currently on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Pictured in the relief, from left to right, are Peitho (spelled here "Pitho", the personification of Persuasion) sitting atop a pillar, Helen (i.e. Helen of Troy), Aphrodite, winged Eros (Desire), and Alexandros, better known as Paris.

The composition depicts the crucial moment following the Judgement of Paris where Aphrodite seeks to persuade Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, to leave her husband and go off to Troy with the Trojan prince Paris - an event which would trigger the start of the Trojan War.

Albumen print. Good rich tones in good condition; Dimensions: 230 x 195mm. (9 x 7.5 inches).