The painting of foodstuffs in the socalled Villa di Poppea in Oplontis confiirm, as is also demonstrated by other examples in Pompeii, that classicism (typical of the Second Style) could not exclude the introduction of naturalistic elements whose function was to enrich the overall house decoration.
What distinguishes these elements is not the depiction of products of hunting and fishing, as fish and other dead animals, frequent in still lives, were rarely represented in Oplontis paintings. On the contrary, fruit was most frequently depicted, both singly or grouped both of the same type of fruit or a mixture of various types.
Indeed, the inclusion of naturalistic elements such as fruits helped minimise the austere look of the luxurious architectures typical of the Second Style recalling the Greek scenographic models of the Hellenistic age.
On the other hand, the representation of a pie here as an elaborate dish only confirms the intention of the decorator (and perhaps of the customer) to enrich and somehow enliven his decoration as whole. It is no coincidence that these depictions are found in two different rooms like the triclinium and another hall probably intended as a dining room.
As regards the triclinium, the wall frescoes showing a basket of figs is of great effect and allows to highlight the skill of the painter in rendering the wicker interlacement of the basket as well as in the representation of the naturalistic element of the fruits which are so naturally depicted as to look as if just picked from the tree.
The hall opening onto one of the porticoes to the south, also intended as a dining room shows, in a Second style framework, other naturalistic pictorial elements, which allow us to appreciate the expertise of the decorator. There are containers with fruit, glass bowls, one of which contains apples and plums, and a basket with various other fruits. In both cases, the skilfullness of the decorator in rendering the transparency of the glass and the fine veil covering the wicker basket is remarkable. The pie placed on a high holder is a true example of the ability of the artist to depict elaborate dishes as well as fresh food and provides evidence of the art of cooking in Roman times. In the same room, another detail worthy of close observation in a Second style framework is the bunch of grapes depicted close-up positioned on a base and rendered with more vivid colours than other fruits depicted nearby.
Source
Soprintendenza
Archeologica di Pompei |
