Pompeii at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts until September 5th, 2016
Pompeii: we know the story of the ill fated ancient city in Southern Italy’s Campagna region, near the Bay of Naples that was buried under a mountain of ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. But what do we really know of the people that lived there prior to the catastrophic volcanic eruption? How did these people live? Who did they worship? What kinds of kitchen-ware did they use? What did their houses look like? What did their art look like? Did they wear jewelry?
All of these questions and more are answered when visiting the Pompeii exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts which is on display until September 5th, 2016. This exhibit which I had been looking forward to for a very long time, certainly does not disappoint. Pompeii aficionados as well as people who are interested in knowing more about ancient history will see how the people of Pompeii lived right up until the very moment of the massive volcanic eruption. Pompeii starts with a wall depicting an animated Mount Vesuvius erupting. When you enter the first room, the display is like any
other museum exhibit with timelines, pre-history of what happened prior to the eruption that killed so many people in their tracks, as well as some coinage and a miniature version of the city of Pompeii. The next room is similar in the way that usual exhibits are displayed, there are statues, paintings, mosaics, water faucets and even a loaf of carbonized bread which clearly tells us that people did not have much time to prepare when they fled for their lives. Many people survived, but there were also a very many who did not, including Pliny the Elder, a famous historian, who was not actually in Pompeii but got into a boat to sail towards Pompeii both to document what was happening and to offer help and was later taken over by the terrible cloud of ash that was wafting in his direction.
It is not until one is well into the exhibit that one realizes that they have been walking through a subtly constructed Pompeiian villa the whole time, with changes in climate from room to room, temperature, sounds and each room is themed to suit each of the differently themed areas. Not only are there artifacts on display, and in display cases, but the walls have different images projected on them to help heighten the sense of being in the different parts of the villa, and courtyard. Then, the most powerful section of an exhibition I have ever experienced – the last couple of rooms – where they go into extensive detail about how and when tragedy hit. This display is topped off with immersive videos, soundtracks as well as timelines describing the eruption from a multi-sensory point-of-view.
This is definitely an exhibit worth seeing whether you are a Pompeii enthusiast, or, even if you have never been interested in anything Pompeii before. The didactic panels are easy to follow and interesting to read, the imagery, videos, & audio track blend very well together. The timeline of how quickly Mount Vesuvius erupted and when people decided to leave is presented in great detail is unforgettable and emotional. So far I have seen this show twice, and I certainly plan to go again before it leaves the MMFA.
All images are made by Samantha Wexler
