The ground of this beautiful mosaic picture is black, the dresses are in general white, and the personages of a natural colour.

So much has been said of the subject in the description of the house, where it formed the central compartment in the pavement of the tablinum, that it is needless to add more than that it represents the actors dressing for a scenic representation. It has been taken from the floor, and is preserved in the Studii at Naples.

The mosaic vases, twisted column, and little figures seem to have nothing to do with the scene below, but served merely to fill up the square compartment in the pavement of the tablinum.

Above and below the mosaics are placed, to fill up the plate, tablets or panels of those curious fish and marine monsters which are so common at Pompeii.