Pompeii never ceases to amaze: the fresco of Narcissus in a mirror re-emerges

In Pompeii, archaeologists have unearthed the extraordinary painting depicting Narcissus reflected in the water.

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The most visited archaeological site in the world continues to be talked about: here are the frescoes of Regio V that tell of love and sensuality

The excavations of Pompeii never cease to amaze: in the atrium of the same domus where the fresco of Leda and the Swan was found, archaeologists have unearthed another extraordinary painting, the one depicting Narcissus reflected in the water.

Composed of almost the entire palette of bright colors used in the Roman frescoes, complete with blue representing one of the most refined pigments (because it is expensive and coming from Egypt), the fresco was found in the excavation of Regio V, in area that a few months ago had returned the Room of Leda with the fresco of the queen of Sparta and the swan.

The painting of Narcissus is located in the atrium of the domus, in the center of one of the vividly colored walls. The protagonist is reflected in the water, enraptured by the image of him, as classical iconography dictates. In particular, interesting here is also the still visible trace of the stairs which led to the upper floor and the space under the stairs, used as a deposit, with a dozen glass containers, eight amphorae and a bronze funnel. A bronze situla (container for liquids) was instead found next to the impluvium.

“The beauty of these rooms, evident from the first discoveries, led us to modify the project and to continue the excavation to bring to light the environment of Leda and the atrium behind it - declares the interim director Alfonsina Russo -. This will allow us to open at least part of this domus to the public in the future ”.

Pompeii never ceases to amaze: the fresco of Narcissus in a mirror re-emerges

"The whole environment is pervaded by the theme of joie de vivre, beauty and vanity, also underlined by the figures of maenads and satyrs who, in a sort of Dionysian cortege, accompanied visitors inside the public part of the house", he concludes declares Massimo Osanna general manager of the Park.

This excavation area, indicated by archaeologists as Regio V, is precisely the area where the greatest treasures are coming to light: it is an area of 1400 square meters which is still partially unexplored today and includes many shops, 14 thermopolia, the House of the Ara Massima and that of the Triclinium.
Here, in August 2018, the beautiful House of Jupiter was found, a house already partially excavated in the nineteenth century, and the second fresco known in the ancient city depicting the god Priapus: located in a domus on the Via del Vesuvio , the painting is similar to that found in the Casa dei Vettii.