The Four Styles of Pompeian Wall Painting

In 1892 August Mau came up with a classification that broadly categorized four distinctive periods in Pompeian wall art covering about 150-200 years. They called First, Second, Third and Fourth Style respectively

First Style

The first style is called Incrustation or Masonry style and daated from 150-90BC and was indentified by Vitruvius as ome made up of colored blocks. It was an illusory style which sought to built up a stucco relief resembling marble and its is likely that this style was imported from Greece. The wall is divided in to zones. At the bottom is the plinth above that the Socle. Orthostats are the large blocks. Then Iosodomic courses and string course and projecting cornice. It is a relief wall built up with stucco and then painted in many colors. Molded details could include pediments, capitals and door frames.

Examples can be found at the House of the Faun, House of Sallust

Second Style

This is also known as the Architectural Style and was dated to 90-25BC. The second style is related to the first style and is also an illusory style with an emphasis on architectural reality. Columns, plinths, ledges and doors were painted as realistically as possible using depth and perspective. Often the painting would draw they eye into the scene through an open window or door to an outside or other scene. It is believed that this style was unique to the Romans and Pompeii and they can be considered to have invested this style.

Examples can be found at the Villa of the Mysteries and the Villa at Oplontis.

Third Style

Mau dated this to the Augustan period of 25BC to 40AD. This Third Style Wall Painting dispenses with perspectives. Images seem to float rather than occupy a space. Where there is a vista or view painted on the wall it is meant to be seen as a picture painted on the wall rather than a opening out on the world. The pictures have black frames and dispense with elaborate painted projected columns. Third Style seeks to retain the integrity of the wall rather than create an illusion. Red colors are still prevalent and the socle is still present. It is not the same as First Style as it is not a relief or an illusion of marble walls etc. Many of the depictions are mythological.

Famous examples can be found at the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto and House of Fabius Rufus

Fourth Style

This Intricate style was dated by Mau from 40AD onwards. Vitruvius had only commented on three styles yet Mau added a fourth. It is a combination of styles two and three. Details are not as exacting as in the Second style yet still more realistic than the Third style. You still see the architectural dimensions but you also get the floating panels as if paintings hanging on a wall. Often the style would give hints of buildings and other architectural features in a slightly grainy misty appearance through an opening in the painting. Often these features would dispenses with architectural reality.

famous examples can be found in the House of the Vettii, House of Menander. Some 80% of the walls in Pompeii are painted in style. Its predominance could be a consequence of the rebuilding of Pompeii after the quake.

Examples