Depictions of Heaven: A Study of the Divine Figures in the Upper Zone of Room P of the House of the Vettii
Morrico, Arianna
Morrico, Arianna
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Abstract
This thesis will explore on the central figures depicted within the upper zone of Fourth Style walls, with a focus on those in Room P of the House of the Vettii in Pompeii. It will analyze the central figures themselves via their iconographic elements, as well as their attributes, and their thematic connection to the narratives depicted in the main zones. Additionally, the research will examine how the placement of projecting architectural forms may elude to a heavenly space with which the figures in the upper zone can interact. Furthermore, it investigates how the figures interact with the physical space through gaze, specifically the central divine figures. This study aims to elucidate the purpose of these figural representations and the intended viewer reception by analyzing the figures' attributes and strategic placement within the architectural context. While scholars of this specific wall painting have given some attention to the depiction of unhappy love, analysis of the upper zone has thus far been limited. This limitation concerning the upper zone research is directed towards this specific wall painting and the theatrical aspect of figural depiction in the upper zone of fourth-style wall paintings. This study seeks to fill this gap in research by scrutinizing the nuanced utilization of the upper zone in first-century Pompeian wall paintings and unravelling the intricacies of how these depictions contribute to the overall meaning of a heavenly realm. Furthermore, this thesis aspires to contribute insights into understanding the visual and symbolic language employed in Fourth Style Roman wall painting. Through this investigation, I hope to offer a richer comprehension of Fourth Style upper zones with a further investigation of other houses with similar characteristics. Ultimately, this thesis aims to highlight repetitive decorative aspects across the Fourth Style that have been ignored.
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Thesis (B.A. in Art History, Minor in Art and Design)--John Cabot University, Fall 2024.
Date
2024
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Keywords
House of the Vettii (Pompeii, Italy), Domestic architecture, Roman architecture, Dwellings
Citation
Morrico, Arianna. "Depictions of Heaven: A Study of the Divine Figures in the Upper Zone of Room P of the House of the Vettii". BA Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. 2024.