Narcissus wall-painting
This photo depicts Narcissus captivated by his own reflection. Traditionally Pompeian wall-paintings have been divided into four 'styles', and the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto contains some of the finest 'Third Style' wall-paintings yet to be uncovered in Pompeii.
Third Style paintings are characterised by ornate frameworks of pseudo-architectural elements, such as columns, which enclose central panel paintings. These central panels often depict mythological scenes, and in this house there are panels illustrating stories such as that of Narcissus, Theseus in the Labyrinth, and the love between Mars and Venus.
The sheer number and quality of the wall-paintings is this house is somewhat unexpected, since the house is of only modest size.
