The Paintings in the Alae of the Casa dei Vettii and a Definition of the Fourth Pompeian Style
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4538512 |
|---|---|
| Authors | William C Archer (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1990 |
| Volume | 94 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 95-123 |
| Publication date | 1990-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Journal of Archaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-9114 • E-ISSN: 1939-828X |
| Publisher | University of Chicago Press (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.2307/505527 |
| OpenAlex | W2318354115 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 2 |
A group of wall paintings in Pompeii and its vicinity has recently been identified as belonging to the early Fourth Style, executed before the earthquake of A.D. 62. The most important paintings of this group are those in the alae of the Casa dei Vettii. These appear to have been created very early in the period of the Fourth Style, as indicated by their affinity with the late Third. Analysis of the decorations of the early Fourth Style reveals a certain degree of consistency in composition and the use of ornaments. More significant, however, is the diversity of compositional forms that also exists within the group. Despite this variety, no developmental relationship among these decorations is indicated. Consideration of the Fourth Style outside this early group suggests that the diversity and non-developmental character of the style before 62 were maintained until the eruption of 79. These conditions represent a significant departure from prior tradition in Pompeian painting. A heightened concern for the conformity of a decorative scheme in the Fourth Style to the scale and function of the space it ornaments may have partly influenced this change. A consciously derivative and summary relationship of the Fourth Style to preceding styles may also have been a factor. During the period of the Fourth Style a more flexible artistic environment than in the past seems to have existed at Pompeii, encouraged by an interest in expanding the range of compositional options available to painters and patrons
Art · Art history · Composition (language · Conformity · Consistency (knowledge bases · Diversity (politics · Literature · Ornaments · Painting · Sociology · Style (visual arts · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Anthropology · Classical Antiquity Studies · History · Mathematics · Psychology · Social Psychology
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,16 |
| Citation span | 2001 - 2019 (19) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |