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This is a brief introduction to Roman wall paintings. Romans began to paint the walls of their houses around 200 BC after contact with the Greek east where they saw palaces and luxury houses with marble panelling on the walls. They tried to copy this effect in paint and plaster which has become known as the first style. You can see it in the photograph on the left. Note how the wall is divided into three horizontal bands giving three registers. There is very little first style decoration left, because when it became unfashionable people would have it changed to a more modern style. This example is from the 'Samnite House' in Herculaneum. |
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Around about 80 BC a new fashion in wall painting arose. It was completely different from the first style. Instead of just creating the effect of marble panels in paint the artists began to represent architectural features, especially columns. The columns and other architectural elements were painted in a quite realistic way and a 3D effect was created. The three registers were still there but the bottom zone has become like a platform or stage on which the architectural elements stand. Behind the architecture were painted other buildings and landscapes using an elementary form of perspective to give the impression that you could look right through the wall. The colours used were very vivid and were applied to damp plaster, so they are true frescoes. | ||
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