BATHING WITH THE ROMANS

Frigidarium

An un-heated room with a basin for cold water. The basin, built of red bricks and covered with waterproof mortar, is set under a brick semi-dome decorated with painting (now only fragmentarily preserved) of grapevine scrolls executed with bold brushstrokes of vivid colours. The vine tendrils rendered in bright red and painted with a dashing hand add particular vivacity to the painting.