K. Palágyi Sylvia szerk.: Balácai Közlemények 2008/10. (Veszprém, 2008)

KIRCHHOF, ANITA: The decorative system and reconstruction of the red dining room at Baláca - A balácai vörös ebédlő dekorációs rendszere és rekonstrukciója

During the study of the scenes of the stucco band and of its certain motifs the different elaboration of trees and water-plants was conspicuous. To be more precise, as regards the tree representations of the red field two types of trees with different shape and foliage could be distinguished. (Figs. 6., 10., 11.) One of the tree types has a trunk belling out at the lower part, it has a small, not extending foliage. The lower part of the other type is missing, its foliage is painted with wide, loose, sweeping lines.

95 On the green picture fields, too, the occurrence of a low bush and a rich, symmetrical sedge with many leaves can be observed. (Figs. 12., 13.) Furthermore, the painting of the shaded part of the dentils, imitating a stucco, which was made with the application of a dark mustard colour was elaborated in different manner. In one instance it was only a simple strip while in the other instance it was made with the aid of a strip with two dots at each end, outlined earlier. (Figs. 4., 6., 17.) On the basis of the occurrence of these two methods of painting we may suppose the presence of at least two ornament painters at the painting of the room. Two different types of representations had remained within the medallions encircled by astragalus pattern and painted at the borders of the picture bands. Unfortunately we have information only on those medallions which had been painted at the borders of red and blue picture fields. (Fig. 4.) Within the medallions at the border of the blue and red fields from the left to the right there is a circular head facing straight, with mouth open, there are three bulges on the crown of the head and small fibres dangle from its ear part. This representation was identified by E. B. Thomas as a Medusa head or a Gorgon head,

96 S. Palágyi in her paper accepted her idea, though she remarked that it was a representation could be determined only with difficulties.

97 This representation is most probably a wind-personification.

98 (Fig. 16.) Characteristic features of the representation are the three bulges on the crown of the head, the mouth wide open, the parts floating beside the mouth - which are most probably for a hair ribbons. The wind representation fits into the marine environment" therefore its position at the ending of the blue background picture field is no mere chance. Within the other medallions survived we see wing-bearing insects flying from the right to the left, with or without legs, in profile, turning their head always toward the spectator. (Figs. 10., 17.) In one instance it can be seen that within the red background field preceding the small bug, the animal moves from the right to the left (Fig. 17.), while the direction of movement of the bugs in the other picture fields cannot be determined.

100 On the basis of a single fragment belonging obviously to this painting the direction of the movement of the little bugs was identical of that of the scenes on the picture field. Similarly to the imitated stucco decoration described here the picture fields of the real decorated stucco ledges of the room No. 11 at Baláca and of the Balatonfüred villa were divided by circular medallions. (Figs. 25., 27.) The medallion, closing the picture strips of the room No. 11. at Baláca had similarly a lilac-reddish background colour with a simple white border. Within the medallion

101 we see an insect which looks like a grasshopper, though most probably it is similar to the insects represented on the other wall-painting. It was sketched by blue, it is in profile, looking leftward, the light and shade effect was brought about by the application of a second white coat of paint over the blue background. (Fig. 25.) Other medallions had not survived. On the fragment which came to light from the Balatonfüred villa the medallions

102 closing the picture field - which had been survived almost in its full length - were filled in with yellow colour, they, too, were bordered with a simple white colour. (Fig. 27.) The