February 6 - September 5, 2016
The
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is presenting a new exhibition POMPEII, about the tragic
demise of the Roman city when Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. In a sense,
MMFA is bringing Pompeii
back to life with many facts, artefacts and visual presentations of the splendour
of this ancient city.
The
exhibition has been organized by the Royal
Ontario Museum
in Toronto and
the MMFA, in collaboration with the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli and the
Soprintendenza Pompei.
A selection of
more than 220 of the best preserved works from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale
di Napoli, the largest repository of archeological objects, and a;so from the site
of Pompeii itself, which is managed by the Soprintendenza Pompei. Some of the
works also come from the neighbouring city of Herculanum
which was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption along with Pompeii .
The
exhibition takes visitors through thematic sections and immersive installations.
It is a journey through time and space, where past and present interact, thus providing an opportunity to envision the daily life in Pompeii before the volcano erupted.
The exhibition presents the people of Pompeii, their history, their appetite for life and their delight in the sensual, as portrayed through the works on display. It includes frescos, mosaics, and statues made of bronze, terra cotta and marble, luxurious accessories, silverware, everyday utensils, religious paraphernalia and even a selection of erotica from the Secret Cabinet of the National Archeological Museum in Naples.
The MMFA has added three pieces to the Montreal's leg of the exhibition which come from the National Museum of Archeology in Naples that show the importance of physical activity and fitness for Pompeiians: fragments of a fresco depicting wrestlers, a strigil (a scraper for cleansing the skin)and an aryballos (a flask for massage oil). The exhibition also includes some works from the MMFA: a Harry A. Norton collection of Roman glass from the first century and some coins recently acquired from Dr. Demers.
Click on images to enlarge them.
Hover your mouse over images for description and credits.
For more information, visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts website.
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