Pompeian Wall Paintings
Analysis
Wall paintings were a large part of the houses found in Pompeii and Herculaneum as they were found on most of the walls in the domus. There were four styles of wall paintings, though 80% was in the fourth style[1]. The third style was usually a plain wall painted red, black or white with more detailed architectural designs or scenes in the center, for example the wall painting above of the cupids chariot race. The third style often told a story of Greek influenced myths. The detail within the paintings show how important they were to the people of Pompeii. The fourth style was more elaborate with a large influence being architectural, the fourth style also used much more vibrant colours, for example the wall painting above that resembles a cross-section of a house. the subjects of the wall paintings vary from scenes from myths that include the gods to still lifes, landscapes, architectural fantasies, portraits and sex scenes. Erotic art was a popular choice for wall paintings in the bath areas and private bedrooms. From these wall paintings we can see that the Romans were very into the idea of engineering and pushing the limits of it the architectural fantasies show that. We also see their attitude towards sex, they were very open about it and it was a thing to be celebrated[2]. The wall painting above depicts a threesome, other paintings show anal and oral sex. Therefore we see that not many things were private within the roman society and that it was widely acceptable for a man or woman to have sex with someone of the same gender. The wall paintings are also a way of telling the wealth of a household as the more elaborate or colourful the paintings were the wealthier the family that lived their. Chemical analysis of the paint showed that seven basic colours were used that were made up in different shades from different pigments. It showed that some of the ingredients to make the colours were easy to get hold of such as soot for black and chalk or limestone for whites, but others were more harder to get hold of for example celadonite which was used for green, haematite which was used for red and Egyptian Blue which was made by heating sand, copper and a form calcium carbonate together which was said to be quite expensive by Pliny.
Conclusion
The eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79AD was significant as it preserved the wall paintings. The layers of built up ash acted as a protection layer that kept it unexposed to the elements and time. When surrounded by ash it was protected from the ground salt that found its way through the paintings leaving white patches once the paintings were exposed to the elements[3]. The paintings were kept in almost the exact same stated as they were painted because of the layers of ash. They were also protected from time as it was found that 80% of the wall paintings were in the fourth style but at one point they would have all been in the first or second style. As a new style of painting came, significantly less and less of the other styles were being produced. Also in Pompeii and Herculaneum there were many erotic art which shows the Romans open views on sex and we see peoples attitudes towards sex before it was altered by Christianity. Before Christianity, sex was viewed as a positive action that should be celebrated to the Romans. We are able to see a how the world has changed its views[4] and styles. These paintings of erotic art are unique and wouldn't be found in public places today but in 79 AD it was found on walls in houses in places where it would be seen. It is also unique because most erotic art was destroyed once Christianity took hold of civilisation, the paintings also show homosexuality as being widely accepted which contrasts to what was being thought and taught today.
[1]- The Fires of Vesuvius
[2]- website- vesuviusandpompeii
[3]- The Fires of Vesuvius
[4]- website- vesuviusandpompeii
Wall paintings were a large part of the houses found in Pompeii and Herculaneum as they were found on most of the walls in the domus. There were four styles of wall paintings, though 80% was in the fourth style[1]. The third style was usually a plain wall painted red, black or white with more detailed architectural designs or scenes in the center, for example the wall painting above of the cupids chariot race. The third style often told a story of Greek influenced myths. The detail within the paintings show how important they were to the people of Pompeii. The fourth style was more elaborate with a large influence being architectural, the fourth style also used much more vibrant colours, for example the wall painting above that resembles a cross-section of a house. the subjects of the wall paintings vary from scenes from myths that include the gods to still lifes, landscapes, architectural fantasies, portraits and sex scenes. Erotic art was a popular choice for wall paintings in the bath areas and private bedrooms. From these wall paintings we can see that the Romans were very into the idea of engineering and pushing the limits of it the architectural fantasies show that. We also see their attitude towards sex, they were very open about it and it was a thing to be celebrated[2]. The wall painting above depicts a threesome, other paintings show anal and oral sex. Therefore we see that not many things were private within the roman society and that it was widely acceptable for a man or woman to have sex with someone of the same gender. The wall paintings are also a way of telling the wealth of a household as the more elaborate or colourful the paintings were the wealthier the family that lived their. Chemical analysis of the paint showed that seven basic colours were used that were made up in different shades from different pigments. It showed that some of the ingredients to make the colours were easy to get hold of such as soot for black and chalk or limestone for whites, but others were more harder to get hold of for example celadonite which was used for green, haematite which was used for red and Egyptian Blue which was made by heating sand, copper and a form calcium carbonate together which was said to be quite expensive by Pliny.
Conclusion
The eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79AD was significant as it preserved the wall paintings. The layers of built up ash acted as a protection layer that kept it unexposed to the elements and time. When surrounded by ash it was protected from the ground salt that found its way through the paintings leaving white patches once the paintings were exposed to the elements[3]. The paintings were kept in almost the exact same stated as they were painted because of the layers of ash. They were also protected from time as it was found that 80% of the wall paintings were in the fourth style but at one point they would have all been in the first or second style. As a new style of painting came, significantly less and less of the other styles were being produced. Also in Pompeii and Herculaneum there were many erotic art which shows the Romans open views on sex and we see peoples attitudes towards sex before it was altered by Christianity. Before Christianity, sex was viewed as a positive action that should be celebrated to the Romans. We are able to see a how the world has changed its views[4] and styles. These paintings of erotic art are unique and wouldn't be found in public places today but in 79 AD it was found on walls in houses in places where it would be seen. It is also unique because most erotic art was destroyed once Christianity took hold of civilisation, the paintings also show homosexuality as being widely accepted which contrasts to what was being thought and taught today.
[1]- The Fires of Vesuvius
[2]- website- vesuviusandpompeii
[3]- The Fires of Vesuvius
[4]- website- vesuviusandpompeii