Courtesan of Pompeii, 1995-1996 Digital

Shows the central figure of a courtesan, with bare breasts, waves of long red hair, a sunflower and the figure of Foxy curled between them. Above the figure are scenes of Mount Vesuvius erupting, and around the figure are sailing boats, views of Il Porto with animals depicted including Ruby the pig, dogs, hen and chicks and eels swimming in the water below.

Described by Gianni Menichetti in 'Notes about Vali's drawings in this book' (YMS 16336, Box 6/3): The ancient city of Pompei, destroyed by the great eruption of the Vesuvius in the year 79A.D., was famous for its 'lupanares'...This one is a very refined courtesan, wearing veils and drop-pearls in her ears. The chin-veil is embroidered with the figures of a toad and a sunflower. Her bare breasts are like a Shrine of Venus, and between them Foxy lies curled up. Mount Vesuvius is erupting in the background and its fire looks like drops of blood, above the Bay of Naples with sailing boats. Ruby the pig looks so serene, all covered by dogs: in Winter all the dogs slept on top of her, using her like a giant hot water-bottle. Amongst the delightful Valley scenes, a bantam-hen with her little chicks.