At the Garden Shrine, Pompeii 1892

John William Godward painted ‘At the Garden Shrine, Pompeii’ at the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th century. This artist became known for his depictions of women in classical settings, connecting to a cultural interest in antiquity. The image is carefully constructed, making heavy use of classical architecture and dress to create an image of idealized beauty. Godward was part of a late wave of Neoclassical painting in Britain, a movement that looked back to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. This artistic choice often reflected a longing for a perceived golden age or served as a commentary on contemporary society. To better understand this work, we need to investigate the Royal Academy in London, and explore the complex dynamics of the Victorian art world. The tiger skin in the image, for example, may reference the British Empire. Through such research, we can better understand the values and beliefs of the society that produced it, and gain insight into the enduring power of art.