National Gallery of Art, Essay Example

Pompeii had once been one of the most thriving towns of the region around the Bay of Naples. Before Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, Pompeii was a prosperous town involved in profitable commercial activities, making money from trade in olive oil, wine, seafood, and the plentiful fruits and vegetables that grew in the rich volcanic soil typical for that area. Due to the magnificent beauty of the nature, as well as to temperate climate so good to agriculture development, the city used to magnetize and fascinate vacationing Romans. The tourists used to take pleasure in observing the gorgeous nature of the bay, hot springs, and also the remaining of  Greek culture around the city of Naples, former Greek colony.  Eventually, becoming one of the most chic resorts, Pompeii started to attract numerous artists and sculptures from all over the world excited by the demand for paintings, sculpture, and luxurious ornamental arts supposed to embellish the huge seaside villas and houses. Unfortunately, Mount Vesuvius erupted in the early hours of August 24, AD 79. The city was eventually destroyed by the densest part of the ash, its inhabitants being killed by surges of poisonous gas.  The fabulous villas were shattered by the eruption. The works of art purchased by both villa owners and Pompeii’s residents reproducing their common artistic taste and cultural standards, an admiration of ancient Greece in particular, were at first lost and then partially rediscovered beginning with the XVIII century.

One of the works of arts preserved despite the damaging power of the eruption is the bronze sculptural ensemble “Bore Attacked by Dogs” dating to1st century BC – 1st century AD that was found in the central garden of the House of the Citharist, Pompeii and is permanently situated in the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC). The sculptural ensemble of a boar attacked by dogs was found in 1858 in a Pompeian house, where it used to decorate the crescent border of a pool in the inner garden. This work relates to the theme of Nature. It presents a wild side of nature. Being a garden decoration serving for its owner’s pleasure, it presents a scene of the culmination of the hunting, thus being also related to the Theme of Entertainment. The sculptures refer to the lushness of nature through representation of wild animals.

Another remaining representations of the Pompeii’s culture, bronze, silver, and copper ornaments from a dining couch in the form of mules’ heads dating back to 1st century BC–1st century AD (Pompeii) are simply amazing (National Gallery of Art). The ornaments are extremely detailed, making accent on mules’ heads’ inclination; the mules even seem to have certain looks on their faces, being truly expressive. They look like if they were worked out in Naturalism style. The work obviously relates to the Theme of Nature. Moreover, mules, especially wild ones, were at those times connected to Dionysos (Bacchus), thus the ornaments also refer to the Theme of Deities.

Another curious Pompeii’s findings dating back to 1st century BC–1st century AD is a Serpent bracelet of gold (National Gallery of Art). Sacred to the Egyptian goddess Isis, snakes were related to good fortune and regeneration, partly because they shed their skins once a year. Spiral bracelets in the appearance of snakes were admired throughout the Mediterranean world in antiquity. Pompeii was not the exception. This work of art obviously relates to the Theme of Nature, as well as to the Theme of Deities. Definitely, being an exceptionally female decoration, the bracelet also relates to the Theme of Gender.

The remains of the city of Pompeii provide us with the insight into magnificent part of ancient culture. Pompeii is believed to be a city of spectacular beauty. The pure splendor of the ruins of Pompeii and the riches it held unrevealed for almost 2,000 years have made it the most celebrated of archaeological sites. Fortunately, the sophisticated works of art with their mysterious elegance are at our disposal, – observing and analyzing them is a pleasure indeed.