A group of seven Roman fresco fragments, Roman Imperial, ca. 1st century AD

Delicately painted in blue, white, green, brown, red and yellow polychrome.  These small fragments seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. Some panels were probably framed by a red grenade fillet. 

Roman frescoes are the only surviving type of Roman painting, although literary references speak of painting on wood, ivory, and other materials. Frescoes were used to adorn the interiors of private homes in Roman cities and the countryside. Frescoes were applied to plaster walls while still wet, so that the pigment penetrated the plaster and became part of the wall, rather than just paint sitting on the surface. 

cf. Hakanen, V., 'VI Wall Plaster Fragments' in Berg, R., Kuivalainen, I., Domus Pompeiana M. Lucretii, IX,3, 5.24, The inscriptions, Works of Art and Finds from the Old and New Excavations, Vantaa, 2019, pp.196-224, figs.3-4. 

Medium: Stucco, polychrome

Dimensions: Width: 11cm ( 4 1/4 inches); 7.5 cm ( 3 inches) and 7.5cm (3 inches). Height: 6 cm (2 1/4 inches)

Condition: Fragmentary as described, with very good remaining polychrome.

Provenance: Acquired in the 19th century, then by descent. Jeger private collection, Switzerland.

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