Winding wool in a Pompeian garden 1894

John William Godward painted 'Winding Wool in a Pompeian Garden' with oil on canvas during the late 19th and early 20th century. Godward was part of a larger artistic movement that looked to classical antiquity for its inspiration, but his work, in particular, engages with the complex relationship between the Victorian era and its construction of the past. The image presents a romanticized view of ancient Rome, focusing on beauty and leisure while ignoring the social realities of the time. Consider, for example, the inclusion of a tiger skin draped over the chair; such exotic items were luxury goods, signifiers of wealth, and of course, colonial power. This aesthetic interest in the ancient world was very popular in British institutions like the Royal Academy, where artists could achieve fame and fortune. Studying the exhibition history of works like this, as well as the economic conditions of the art market, can tell us a lot about the values and assumptions of the time. Ultimately, understanding the social and institutional context of this painting helps us understand its meaning.