Archaeologists have found a fresco depicting a sensual scene between a sensual woman and a swan in an ancient Pompeii bedroom.
The watercolour scene has maintained its brilliant detail and colour despite being buried under the ash from the infamous Vesuvius eruption for nearly 2,000 years.
Experts have said the swan is an embodiment of the Roman god Zeus – Jupiter in Roman mythology – who is impregnating the mortal princess Leda.
Pompeii archaeological park director Massimo Osanna told Italian news agency ANSA about the legend of Leda and the swan.
He says the scene of the bird impregnating the mythical woman was a common theme in Pompeii interior design.
Mr Osanna went on to praise the fresco as exceptional due to the appearance of the mortal woman looking at whoever’s gazing at the fresco.
He said: ‘Leda watches the spectator with a sensuality that’s absolutely pronounced.’
The fresco was discovered during ongoing work to consolidate the ancient city’s structures after rains and wear-and-tear in past years caused some ruins to collapse.
The flourishing ancient Roman city was buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii, Oplontis, and Stabiae under ashes and rock fragments, and the city of Herculaneum under a mudflow.
