{"id":4812,"date":"2023-12-28T15:57:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T14:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seepompeii.com\/la-venere-in-conchiglia-di-pompei-il-significato-del-famoso-affresco\/"},"modified":"2024-01-31T12:57:53","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T11:57:53","slug":"pompeiis-venus-in-a-shell-the-significance-of-the-famous-fresco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seepompeii.com\/en\/pompeiis-venus-in-a-shell-the-significance-of-the-famous-fresco\/","title":{"rendered":"Pompeii’s Venus in a shell: the significance of the famous fresco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Painted on the back wall of the peristyle of a luxurious house on Via dell’Abbondanza in Pompeii.<\/strong> The Venus in a Shell<\/strong> represents one of the archaeological treasures unearthed during excavations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An imposing fresco of more than 10 meters<\/strong> depicting the completely nude goddess lying on a white shell carried by the waves surrounded by two cupids<\/strong>. And in the side ends we find on the right a marble fountain with birds lying on it, and on the left the god Mars protector of Pompeii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A marvelous painting that gives the optical illusion to those who enter the peristyle of the eponymous house that they are facing the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But many wonder what is the meaning of this extraordinary fresco, what was it meant to symbolize?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out here in our guidebook or on your visit to Pompeii, with the help of experienced tour guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every corner, every house in Pompeii is full of history worth discovering. Among them is the very house of the Venus in a shell, so don’t just linger to admire the beauty of the many frescoes that adorn Pompeii, but discover the true meaning of each of them together with those who know them perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BOOK YOUR VISIT TO POMPEII<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is the significance of the fresco?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The fresco of Pompeii’s patroness depicts naked Venus lying inside a white shell clothed only in bracelets, gold anklets and a tiara in her beautiful curly hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The painting is meant to represent the birth of the goddess symbol of fertility and beauty from the foam of the sea accompanied by two cupids.<\/strong> With her lover Mars, also the protector of Pompeii, beside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this in a setting that recalls not only the sea but also nature. To project the viewer of the painting into a corner of paradise filled with many species of plants and birds found in Pompeii during the various seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Garden-cooled-in-the-home-of-Venus-in-the-shell.\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All this in an elegant setting, amid ornamental plants that decorated the front garden and the peristyle columns typical of the Greco-Roman world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The home of the Venus in the shell<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The house of the Venus in a shell is located not far from Pompeii’s amphitheater. It stands on the famous Via dell’Abbondanza<\/strong> where Pompeii’s most luxurious houses and numerous stores overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was brought to light during archaeological excavations only in 1952.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it belonged to a wealthy Pompeian family, the Satrii<\/strong>, particularly well known in the city for their candidacy for major political office during elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like all typical Pompeian dwellings, the house of the Venus in a shell consisted of an entrance formed by the atrium<\/strong>, where in the center was the impluvium that served to collect rainwater. In addition, there was the tablinum<\/strong> that is, the office of the homeowner, in which the most important documents were kept. And the triclinium <\/strong>in which were placed three beds that were used to receive guests and dine with them.<\/p>\n\n\n