By: Sigismondo Springer

Sigismondo Springer — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 17:29:50 +0000

Thank you for your very nice feature concerning the Villa Romana Del Casale near Piazza Armerina in Sicily. I had the good fortune to visit it in February before the life threatening Covid-19 situation put a stop to travel. My visit was extremely revealing and I came away amazed. Back in Canada, I began to consult my books which mention these mosaics. One is The Face of the Nude by John Brophy, Tudor Publishing Company, New York, 1968. This edition was published posthumously since Mr. Brophy died in 1965. Plates 9-10 feature the ”bikini” girl holding the wheel. This image and the others are part of a floor mosaic completely covering the floor of one room and superimposed on an earlier mosaic, part of which is visible in the upper left hand corner when the image of the mosaic is shown in its entirety. This mosaic is a heavy slab and I presume it has been left in situ from the time it was installed. Mr. Brophy recognized its origin but claimed ”and now to be seen at Rome in the museum…of the Baths…of Diocletian…” I have often visited this site when in Rome. I do not recall seeing the Villa Del Casale mosaics there although it has been converted into a fine archaeological museum which is sometimes used as an exhibition venue ( I attended one featuring some Rodin sculptures). Do you know anything about this? If not, where could one find information concerning the late Mr. Brophy’s attribution? Thank you.

Comments on: Villa Romana del Casale

By: Sigismondo Springer