Pompeian Styles

Did You Know?

• Pompeii was never reoccupied after the eruption, ending strictly 'Pompeian' painting development.
• The same styles continued in use elsewhere in Italy and evolved further.

History

Roman wall paintings have been found in buildings, private homes, and villas across the Roman empire, with many early discoveries around the Bay of Naples, an area affected by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. These paintings sometimes depict life in that region before the eruption destroyed much of the countryside and the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Typically executed as frescoes on drying plaster, the paintings developed different styles during the first century BC, ranging from realistic to impressionist works, with inspiration drawn from mythology, landscapes, and other interests. The First style, also called structural, incrustation, or masonry style, is traditionally dated from 200 BC until 80 BC, though it existed outside Pompeii much earlier, since the late 5th century BC. It is characterized by trompe-l'œil simulation of marble using stucco moldings that made portions of the wall appear raised, along with simulated elements like suspended alabaster discs, wooden beams, pillars, and cornices, and vivid colors that signaled wealth. Less wealthy households used variations of yellow, purple, and pink. This style reflects the spread of Hellenistic culture as Rome interacted with Greek and Hellenistic states, and it divided the wall into multi-colored patterns substituting for expensive cut stone. It was also used with other styles for lower wall sections. Notable examples include the Samnite House in Herculaneum and the House of Faun and House of Sallust in Pompeii.