by Mary Harrsch © 2024 i
Thinking more about features of homes in Pompeii that may warrant an award of additional points in my Pompeii wealth scoring system, I realized I had not considered the expense of certain wall colors. I knew black pigment used for wall painting was among the most expensive, as it was often created using high-quality carbon-based materials like lampblack or by grinding manganese minerals. I also knew Pompeian red was also expensive but at one point in my studies, I had read a paper suggesting red walls may have initially been ocher-colored transformed into red by the heat of the pyroclastic flows from the Vesuvian eruption.
Black 4th Style wall from the House of the Vettii by Luigi Bazzani. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. |
Red 4th Style Wall_ from House of Faventinus VI 5,16 Pompeii by Geremia Discanno. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. |
Ochre-colored wall from Exedra y, House of the Silver Wedding by Luigi Bazzani, 1898. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. |
So, I decided to ask ChatGPT about that. It replied:
"The coloration of Pompeian walls has been a subject of extensive study, particularly because the vibrant frescoes and wall paintings provide valuable insights into Roman domestic life, aesthetics, and social status. Your inquiry touches on an intriguing hypothesis regarding the transformation of wall colors due to pyroclastic flows, so let's delve into the current understanding and scholarly perspectives on this topic.
Original Wall Colors in Pompeii
Pompeii's wall colors primarily derive from fresco painting techniques, which involved applying pigments to wet plaster. The palette used by Roman artists included a variety of colors such as reds, ochers, yellows, and blacks. Red was indeed a prominent and favored color, often associated with wealth and status. The use of red pigments like vermillion (a bright red mineral pigment) and ochre (ranging from yellow to deep red) was widespread in both domestic and public buildings.
Effect of Pyroclastic Flows on Wall Colors
The catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD led to pyroclastic flows—fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter—that buried Pompeii under ash and pumice. These extreme conditions had several effects on the city's structures:
Thermal Impact on Pigments: The intense heat from pyroclastic flows could potentially alter the chemical composition of pigments. However, most organic and inorganic pigments used in Roman frescoes are relatively stable under high temperatures. For instance, ochre pigments are iron oxide-based and already exhibit red hues, making significant color transformation (e.g., from ocher to a different shade of red) less likely solely due to heat.
Preservation vs. Alteration: While some pigments might undergo minor changes, the overall preservation of wall colors suggests that the frescoes remained largely intact post-eruption. The characteristic red hues observed today are generally considered to reflect the original artistic intent rather than a result of thermal alteration.
Surface vs. Structural Changes: The application of plaster and pigments on walls could experience surface-level damage or discoloration due to the heat, but structural color changes across large wall areas from ocher to red are not widely supported by archaeological evidence.
Scholarly Perspectives
The hypothesis that Pompeian red walls originated as ocher and were transformed by pyroclastic heat is not mainstream within Pompeian studies. Most scholars agree that the vivid colors seen today, including reds and blacks, were intentional choices by the artists and inhabitants to convey wealth, status, and aesthetic preferences.
However, it is worth noting that:
Post-Excavation Treatments: Some color alterations observed today might result from restoration efforts or chemical changes over the centuries rather than the immediate effects of the eruption.
Localized Variations: There could be specific instances where thermal effects caused localized color changes, but these would not represent a widespread phenomenon across Pompeii.
Incorporating Wall Colors into Wealth Scoring
Your addition of black walls to the Pompeian wealth scoring system is a thoughtful enhancement, as wall colors often reflected the owner's social status and economic standing. Incorporating a variety of wall colors, including reds, blacks, and others, can provide a more nuanced understanding of wealth distribution and cultural preferences in Pompeian society.
Conclusion
While the idea that pyroclastic flows transformed ocher walls into red is an interesting proposition, current archaeological and scholarly evidence primarily supports the interpretation that red wall colors in Pompeii were originally intended and painted as such. The resilience of pigments like ocher under extreme heat further suggests that the vibrant reds we observe today are largely representative of the original artistic expressions rather than post-eruption alterations.
If new research emerges that provides concrete evidence supporting the thermal transformation hypothesis, it would certainly add a fascinating layer to our understanding of Pompeian art and architecture. Until then, the prevailing view maintains the intentional use of red pigments as a marker of wealth and aesthetic preference in ancient Pompeii."
When I asked if I should award points for red and yellow walls as well as black walls, ChatGPT replied:
Including red, yellow, and black walls in your Pompeian wealth scoring system would add depth and nuance to your analysis, as all three colors carry significant cultural and socioeconomic connotations in Roman wall painting. Here’s why this could be valuable, along with considerations for their inclusion:
Red Walls
Symbolism and Expense: Red was a high-status color, often achieved using expensive pigments such as cinnabar (mercury sulfide) or high-quality ochre. The use of red in frescoes frequently signaled wealth and the homeowner's ability to afford luxurious materials.
Cultural Significance: In Roman art, red was associated with power, vitality, and the divine. It was used in prominent locations within houses, such as triclinia (dining rooms) or atria (entry halls), to impress visitors.
Wealth Indicator: Including red walls would recognize the expense and cultural capital associated with the color, enhancing the scoring system's ability to reflect socioeconomic status.
Yellow Walls
Cost and Aesthetic: Yellow pigments, often derived from ochre, were generally less expensive than cinnabar but still held aesthetic and symbolic value. They were commonly used in well-executed frescoes and could indicate moderate wealth, especially when paired with intricate designs.
Prestige Context: Yellow walls were sometimes used in spaces designed for leisure or intellectual pursuits, emphasizing refinement and taste.
Intermediate Wealth: Incorporating yellow walls might help distinguish mid-level wealth tiers from higher or lower ones.
Black Walls
Association with the Fourth Style: Black walls became especially prominent in the Fourth Pompeian Style (post-50 AD). Their rich, glossy appearance often served as a backdrop for intricate mythological or architectural motifs, which were typically costly to produce.
Luxury and Sophistication: Black was associated with sophistication and elegance. Homes with extensive use of black walls likely belonged to the upper strata of society.
High-Status Marker: Including black walls makes sense as a clear indicator of wealth, especially when paired with elaborate decorative elements.
Proposed Scoring Approach
To refine your wealth scoring system, you could assign points based on both the color and the associated stylistic elements, as follows:
Base Colors:
Black: High points for sophistication and cost.
Red: High points for its expensive pigments and cultural value.
Yellow: Moderate points, reflecting a more accessible but still valued aesthetic.
Context and Details:
Decorative elements (e.g., intricate patterns, mythological scenes) and room usage (e.g., public vs. private spaces) could further modify the score.
Rationale for Inclusion
Adding these colors reflects the diversity of wealth expression in Pompeii, recognizing that status was not solely about the presence of luxury goods but also the cultural and aesthetic values communicated through decor.
This approach can help differentiate between households with moderate wealth that opted for yellow versus those that invested heavily in red or black.
Final Recommendation
Include red, yellow, and black walls in the scoring system. To avoid overcomplicating the model, focus on distinguishing levels of wealth based on:
The presence of each color.
The quality and complexity of decorative elements.
The distribution of these walls within the house."
This expanded system would provide a more comprehensive view of wealth and social standing in Pompeian society.
The metric ChatGPT proposed is:
Points by Wall Color Category
Black Walls: 5 Points
Rationale: Black walls, especially in the Fourth Style, were associated with high sophistication and required costly materials like carbon black or lampblack mixed with high-quality plaster for a polished appearance. They also frequently served as a backdrop for intricate decorations, enhancing their prestige.
Red Walls: 4 Points
Rationale: Red, particularly cinnabar, was expensive and a deliberate choice to signify wealth and luxury. While slightly less sophisticated than black walls, red still represented a significant financial investment and a high-status aesthetic.
Yellow Walls: 3 Points
Rationale: Yellow pigments like ochre were more affordable than red or black but still conveyed taste and refinement. Yellow walls often appear in middle- to upper-class homes, reflecting moderate wealth and aesthetic awareness.
Other Colors (e.g., white or plain walls): 1–2 Points
Rationale: White or uncolored plaster walls might indicate lower wealth or spaces with less focus on ostentation, such as utilitarian areas. Exceptions could be made for elaborate designs or frescoes painted on a white background.
Modifiers for Context
To make the scoring more nuanced, you could apply modifiers based on additional factors:
Elaborate Decorations: +1–2 Points
Frescoes with detailed mythological scenes, architectural perspectives, or intricate patterns enhance the value of the walls.
Room Usage: +1 Point
Public or semi-public rooms (e.g., atria, triclinia) score higher than private spaces (e.g., cubicula) for displaying these colors, as they reflect the owner’s intent to impress guests.
Combination of Colors: +1 Point
Rooms with a sophisticated interplay of multiple high-status colors (e.g., black with red or yellow accents) could receive a small bonus for artistic complexity.
Example Application:
If a triclinium features black walls (5 points) with mythological frescoes (+2) and some red accents (+1 for color combination), the total score for that room could be 8 points.
This system keeps the scoring manageable while reflecting the nuanced expression of wealth in Pompeian wall painting.
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