Ancient Roman Fresco Fragment from a Pompeian Villa Wall

Period: 100-200

Origin: Roman

Medium: Fresco

Literature: Pompeian wall painting in the 3rd and 4th styles was current at the time of the city's destruction in AD79 and many of these fine frescos can still be seen in the surviving remains. The last years of Pompeii were a time of marked economic and social decline and this was reflected in the levels of patronage and in consequence, of artistic standards. Wall painting as an important art form was on its way out to be replaced by marble paneling and amongst the wealthy elite, by wall mosaic. In this respect the eruption of Vesuvius was well timed as in another few years there would have been little left of the older, finer City of Pompeii.