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Before Mount Vesuvius erupted in ad 79, the region of Campania around the Bay of Naples was an artistic center of great sophistication. Archaeological excavations have uncovered not only Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other towns near Vesuvius, but also the remains of luxurious seaside villas built for prominent Romans. They were drawn to the bay by its beauty and thermal baths — a legacy of its volcanic geology — as well as the lingering Greek culture around Naples, a former Greek colony. The bay’s popularity as a resort for vacationing Romans brought extraordinary wealth to the area. Adding to its economic well-being was the Emperor Augustus’ designation of the port of Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli, north of Naples) as the Italian entry point for the enormous shipments of grain from the province of Egypt.
The wealth, coupled with the great demand for works of art to adorn the interior spaces and gardens of the vast maritime villas, attracted artists from far and wide. Many of them would also have found clients among the well-to-do townspeople of Pompeii and Herculaneum who emulated the lifestyles of the powerful elite. The art collections of both villa owners and residents of the nearby towns demonstrate their shared artistic tastes and cultural ideals, particularly reverence for classical Greece, which was seen as a Golden Age.  Christen Købke, The Forum at Pompeii with Vesuvius in the Background, 1841, oil on canvas, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
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