Thread by @BuffyAntiqua

Hello Vatican. This is what I find to be the easiest way to access the classical collections. Start with room 17, Gregoriano Profano (turn right when you go through the entrance).

Here we have a nice unswept floor mosaic.

Two great reliefs: one of Mendander (amazing to see his portraiture in miniature) and, even better the relief with Medea and the daughters of Pelias! (Cc @rmavirumquecano)

Had some fun with this Medusa mosaic by putting her head on various statues.

This is a huge museum. Take time for yourself.

Pan and Nymph. Note the relaxed pose of the nymph and the eye contact and open mouth. Quite different from the type showing resistance.

Torso of a Marsyas! From a group with Athena (not Apollo)

And this absolutely gorgeous basanite (my favorite stone) youth.

Just next to this is the Pio Cristiano collection. Here are some "good shepherds" which basically means the moschophorus put a shirt on.

Alright, let's head down the Chiaramonti. A badly labeled and overwhelming display. But look how few people were there! So at least I could spend some time getting to know some specific pieces.

Took this photo of Ganymede since we covered that reason for Juno's ire in Aeneid 1.

The verism of the old man with his ptosis (drooping eyebrow) is excellent. And I like the reworking of the other statue into a Mercury.

Love the different stones on display: Egyptian green schist and alabaster; the other shows a muse in typical thinking mode.

A great Hekataion. You can see all the feet, and the posts for hanging garlands.

Here is another Ganymede.

Also, this story about Gravidus inspiring Freud is pretty great.

Then the Braccio Nuovo. If you get lucky, it is open, and you have one of the best views of what an alcove gallery can do for ideas of organizing statues and sight lines with flooring.

Love this Odyssey mosaic (Odysseus tied to the master with sirens behind, the scylla)

A Nile with adorable babies (representing the number of cubits the river rises every year. Now that's a cool thing to learn!)

Here is Demosthenes. Also the relief pattern above seems confused. Am I right in thinking this combines the River from Trajan's column with Hadrian entering the city?