Bay of Naples

Attracting the wealthy, the beautiful Bay of Naples has been a favorite resort location ever since the Greeks settled it in the eighth century B.C. Villas line the scenic vista, drawing seafarers and vacationers alike. Under the towering visage of Mount Vesuvius, those who dwell on the coastline enjoy the picturesque opportunities the inlet has to offer.

By the first century BC, the picturesque Bay of Naples became a favorite retreat for vacationing emperors, senators, and other prominent Romans. They built lavish seaside villas in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius where they could indulge in absolute leisure, read and write, exercise, enjoy their gardens and the views, and entertain friends. The artists who flocked to the region to adorn the villas also created paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts for the residents of Pompeii and nearby towns.

Before Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, Pompeii was a thriving commercial town, one of several around the Bay of Naples that prospered from trade in wine, olive oil, seafood, and the abundant fruits and vegetables that grew in the region's rich volcanic soil. The temperate climate so favorable to agriculture also attracted vacationing Romans who enjoyed the bay's natural beauty and hot springs as well as the lingering Greek culture around Naples, a former Greek colony. In the first century BC and the first century AD, when the works of art in this exhibition were created, the Bay of Naples was Rome's most fashionable resort. Julius Caesar, emperors, senators, and other prominent Romans all owned sumptuous villas built along its shores. High season was in the spring when the Senate was in recess.

The demand for paintings, sculpture, and luxurious decorative arts to adorn the vast seaside villas lured artists and artisans from far and wide. Those engaged by villa owners could easily find additional clients among the well-to-do residents of Pompeii, where houses were decorated in a fashion similar to that of the villas, although on a smaller scale. The works of art acquired by both villa owners and townspeople reflect their shared artistic tastes and cultural ideals, particularly a reverence for ancient Greece, which was seen as a golden age.

For more info on historic gulf resorts on the Bay of Naples, click HERE!