Image Source: Discanno, Geremia, Mosaic in House of L Caecilius Jucundus Pompeii by Gerremia Discanno, 1882, paper

Italian, Painting Of A Dog Mosaic From Pompeii, Geremia Discanno, 1882

During the first systematic excavation of Pompeii in 1748, archaeologists were super bummed to find that the paintings and mosaics that remained (many had already been looted) were not in great shape.

They decided they needed to preserve the work by hiring artists to come in and capture them. (Because photography wasn’t invented until 1822.) 

Geremia Discanno was one of the artists brought in to do the job. Discanno’s paintings were so realistic, more than one expert had mistaken them for the originals!  

This painting is a reproduction of a mosaic from the house of a wealthy banker, Lucius Caecilius Iucundus. If you’re ever in Pompeii, you can still see it—and if you do, send me a pic, okay?

TLDR:

  • Crappy people in the 1700s looted Pompeii (boo)

  • Archeologists wanted to document the art, but photography wasn’t an option because it hadn’t been invented yet (also boo)

  • This mosaic belonged to Lucius Caecilius Iucundus,a rich banker (of course)

  • You can still see this mosaic at Lucius’ house today, and if you go see it you better send me a picture. (For reals.)