The most reasonable explanation for this painting is that is shows Hercules and his son Telephus; who was suckled by a doe. The beautiful woman seated holding a staff may be Arcadia or the earth goddess Tellus (Terra). Behind them are Pan with his pipes and pedum or curved stick; and Ceres or Providence pointing to the boy. Excavated in Resina. Copperplate engraved by Tommaso Piroli from his own 鈥楢ntichita di Ercolano' (Antiquities of Herculaneum); Rome; 1789. Italian artist and engraver Piroli (1752-1824) published six volumes between 1789 and 1807 documenting the murals and bronzes found in Heraculaneum and Pompeii.