This Pompeian fresco depicts the mythological scene of Iphigeneia encountering Orestes in the Taurian land (Eurypides, Iphigeneia en Taurois 218–231). Orestes was sent by Apollo to the Taurians to retrieve the statue of Artemis from the temple and bring it to Athens. Only in this way could he be freed from the Furies, who were chasing him for his mother's murder. The king of Tauris, Thoas, hated foreigners and used to sacrifice them to Artemis. So, they arrested Orestes and his friend Pylades and led them to the priestess of the goddess to purify them before the sacrifice. The priestess happens to be Iphigeneia, who recognizes her brother, gives him the cult statue of the goddess, and escapes from the Taurians by trickery, along with Orestes and Pylades.

Iphigeneia is depicted as a priestess in front of an impressive temple. She holds a statuette of Artemis in her left hand and a branch in her right. She is accompanied by her two servants, who hold sacrificial bowls with offerings. There is a cult statue of Artemis behind them, and an amphora in front of them, on the stairs of the temple. Orestes and Pylades stand to the right, and Thoas with one of his servants to the left.