The Three Graces

The Three Graces

In elite Roman homes, the triclinium—the grand dining and entertainment room—was the absolute center of social life. A mural or statue of the Three Graces was the ultimate decorative choice for these spaces, as they were the traditional companions of Venus (goddess of love) and Bacchus (god of wine, theater, and celebration).

A few years ago, the Smithsonian hosted a breathtaking exhibition of ancient Roman art uncovered by archaeologists in the ruins of Pompeii. Among the treasures was a beautiful, time-worn, headless statue of the Three Graces. That ancient artifact stayed with me, inspiring this modern creation.

This piece is my artistic interpretation of the exact moment archaeologists first breached a buried villa wall and rediscovered "the girls" after centuries in the dark.

Technically, this is a traditional copper foiled stained glass panel featuring a unique design twist: the space between the Graces is constructed entirely of clear glass. Because of this transparency, whatever sits behind the panel—in this case, the natural greenery of the woods—instantly becomes a living, shifting part of the composition.

It was a  fun project to engineer and build. At the end of the day, it's just good to make people smile.