In 2016, it was with great pleasure that I went to see the POMPEI exhibition
at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
For this project you will see photos of ten sculptures from Pompeii, as well as photos of the presentation of many casts of victims, including the emblematic dog from the House of Orpheus, and some photos of a reconstitution of a film of the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius when this catastrophe occurs the August 24, 79 AD.
Mount Vesuvius erupted, spewing a gigantic cloud of molten rock and pulverized pumice some thumbs up into the air. Tons of pumice, rocks and ashes rained down on Pompeii, piling up on the streets and Collapsing roofs and walls. (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts)
at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
For this project you will see photos of ten sculptures from Pompeii, as well as photos of the presentation of many casts of victims, including the emblematic dog from the House of Orpheus, and some photos of a reconstitution of a film of the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius when this catastrophe occurs the August 24, 79 AD.
Mount Vesuvius erupted, spewing a gigantic cloud of molten rock and pulverized pumice some thumbs up into the air. Tons of pumice, rocks and ashes rained down on Pompeii, piling up on the streets and Collapsing roofs and walls. (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts)
The colors of the statues and casts are natural. During my visits, the lighting in the rooms were different. Some photos have orange tones, and on other photos you see the natural color of the statues.
Twelve works of art are numbered from 1 to 12. At the bottom, you can read the names of the people and the information. I had unfortunately not photographed all the information.
I hope you enjoy.
I hope you enjoy.
Good viewing!
1. Portrait bust of a young woman (right photo, below)
Marble, Pompeii, House of the Citharist, Naples, MANN
This bust was found in Pompeii in August 1861, in the House of the Citharist, an expansive three-storey home, complete with stables, servants' quarters and peristyle courtyards. Based on the location of the bust and her elegant hairstyle, the subject could be a member of a prominent Roman family. The simple part of her hair and waves combed down the back evoke the image of a Greek Goddess. Her locks show evidence of once having painted red in colour.
2. Portrait bust of Agrippa (photo left, top)
Marble, Pompeii, House of the Citharist, 50 A.D., Naples, MANN
The turn of his head, the sharply focused gaze and the determined expression all suggest that this middle-aged man is proud of his achievements. Finely sculpted in marble around 50 A.D., the portrait (together with the bust of the young woman also exhibited here) comes from the House of the Citharist in Pompeii. This striking home is named after a bronze statue found here, representing the god Apollo playing a cithara (lyre).
3. Portrait bust of an elderly man
Marble, Pompeii, 25 A.D., Naples, MANN
This harshly realistic marble image was sculpted in the early empire, circa 25 A.D.
It continues the Republican style, embodying values of respect, hard work and loyalty to Rome, but it also demonstrates that old age was desirable, because of the maturity and life experience gained.
4. Portrait statue of a youth
Marble, Pompeii, Naples, MANN
Made of heavy wool, togas were in essence a uniform, always worn in public during civic and religious events. It indicated the social status of a male Roman citizen. Here, the circular gold bulla (amulet) visible at chest level indicates that the subject is a youth. He wears a toga praetexta, distinguished by its purple border. This type of toga was usually worn by freeborn boys until they reached maturity, and possibly by girls until they reached a marriageable age.
5. Statue of woman
Marble, Pompeii, Naples, MANN
The clothes worn by women indicate their rank in society. Here, the woman is dressed as a matrona - virtuous and faithful wife of a Roman citizen. She wears a long woolen dress (stola), draped over these two clothes, also allows the matrona to cover her head in public.
6. Portrait bust of a Julio-Claudian princess
Marble, Gragnano, 50-68 A.D., Naples, MANN
Superbly carved in marble, this portrait bust radiates the aura of an imperial princess. She wears a bead-and-reel diadem on her head, a sing of high status. Her hairstyle was popular during Emperor Nero's reign and dates this portrait to about 50-68 A.D. But her chin, mouth, large eyes and profile all resemble the Empress Livia, who died in 29 A.D. As the wife of the first Emperor, Livia's features had a lasting influence on portraits of women in the early Empire.
7. Portrait bust of Drusus Major
Bronze, Pompeii, Naples, MANN
In this bronze portrait of Drusus Major, the face and distinctive hairstyle imitate the appearance of Augustus-a deliberate effort to establish a family resemblance, even though the two men were note blood relations. Augustus came from Julian family, Drusus from the Claudian family. Visual similarities between portraits became a way of legitimizing and transferring power.
8. Statue of Isis, Archaic style
Marble, Pompeii, Temple of Isis, Naples, MANN
This statue of Isis, the Egyptian goddess of fertility and rebirth, comes from the temple dedicated to her in Pompeii. Here, the exotic foreign appeal of an Egyptian goddess is adapted to Roman tastes through Greek-style clothes and hair. She still carries and ankh (Egyptian symbol of life).
9. Statues of an actor and an actor impersonating a female character
Terracotta, Pompeii, near the theatre, Naples, MANN
These terracotta statues depict a pair of actors dressed as stock characters from Roman tragedy-the youth and the female courtesan. Both actors are male and wearing exaggerated theatrical masks that are fastened on with straps. The figures, originally painted in bright colours, were discovered together in 1672, at the entrance to a private garden near Pompeii's theatres.
10. Portrait bust of Augustus
Bronze, Herculaneum, Naples, MANN
Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, was declared a god after his death. Roman towns him as part of an imperial cult. In Pompeii, there were at least tow centres of emperor worship: the Temple O Fortuna Augusta, outside the Forum, and the Temple of the Genius of Augustus (also know as the Temple of Vespasian), in the Forum.
11. Amphorae
Terracotta, Pompeii, Pompeii, SSPES
Earthnware amphorae were the standard Mediterranean containers for transporting and storing liquids, such as wine, garum (fish sauce) and oil, and dry food, such as pulses, grain, dried fruit and vegetables. Thousand were found in Pompeii, attesting to the city's prosperity. Like other types of ceramic vessels, amphorae can be dated based on their style. Potting techniques and designs varied over the years, and it has been possible to create a stylistic chronology based on these variations. The two narrow, long-necked amphorae displayed here were used to store wine, while the bulbous amphorae was likely used to store salt fish or oil. All three date to the century A.D.
12. Half a loaf of carbonized bread
Carbon, Pompeii, Naples, MANNMore than forty bakeries were discovered at Pompeii, at least one in every neighboufhood. Each baking establishment had a mill, as bakers milled the grains and baked the bread on their own premises.
Interestingly, certain people had access to different kinds of bread based on their social class or occupation. Politicians took advantage of this and would distribute higher-quality bread as bribes.
Among the latest photos, you see some pictures from the film Soleil noir, a beautiful contemporary work by French video artist Laurent Grasso. If you click on the following link, you can see this movie:
Information on works of art: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. For more information on the content of this exhibition, please visit this link: https://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/exhibitions/past/pompeii/exhibition/
Thank you for your visit!
