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In this gallery, we present 20 of the most striking frescoes found in the ancient Romancity of Pompeii in Italy. These frescoes were once buried under a thick carpet of volcanic ash from the Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE. Year after year, archaeologists continue to find such artistic treasures that never cease to fill us with wonder.
You can admire most of these superb frescoes at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Roman wall paintings were created using a painstaking build up of various layers of material... First, a rough coat of mortar is applied to the surface, sometimes three layers thick and composed of lime and sand (or volcanic pozzolana). Next, a further three coats were added, this time using a mixture of lime and fine crushed marble to give a smoother finish and then glass, marble and cloth were used to polish the surface and prepare it for painting. Colours were added when the surface was still wet (fresco) but details might also be added to a dried surface (tempera).
Fresco showing a woman holding writing implements, a wax tablet and stylus. Commonly called Sappho, the fresco actually portrays a high-society Pompeian woman, richly dressed with gold-threaded hair and large gold earrings. From Pompeii, ca. 50 CE. (Naples National Archaeological Museum)
The most famous fresco in Pompeii is probably the so-called "Sappho" fresco which represents a woman holding writing tools.
Where can you see the Pompeii frescoes today ?
You can see most of the Pompeii frescoes in the archeological site in Pompeii as well as the National Archeological Museum in Naples, Italy.
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