Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
While graffiti is an inevitable part of any modern cityscape, it is not a modern convention. Examples of man’s desire to write on walls can be found as early as the Paleolithic Era. Thus it is not surprising that large amounts of graffiti, both figural and textual have been discovered in the ancient city of Pompeii. Most scholarship attributes these inscriptions to elite, albeit naughty schoolboys, however, this narrow interpretation neglects the copious amounts of graffito discovered throughout homes and along the city’s walls. Through examination of these drawings, it becomes evident their artists comprise the totality of Pompeian citizenry.
Presentation Type
Event
Disciplines
History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology
Location
Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Room 1306
Start Date
2-13-2016 10:15 AM
End Date
2-13-2016 11:15 AM
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Tagged: Assigning Authorship to Figural Graffiti in Ancient Pompeii
Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Room 1306
While graffiti is an inevitable part of any modern cityscape, it is not a modern convention. Examples of man’s desire to write on walls can be found as early as the Paleolithic Era. Thus it is not surprising that large amounts of graffiti, both figural and textual have been discovered in the ancient city of Pompeii. Most scholarship attributes these inscriptions to elite, albeit naughty schoolboys, however, this narrow interpretation neglects the copious amounts of graffito discovered throughout homes and along the city’s walls. Through examination of these drawings, it becomes evident their artists comprise the totality of Pompeian citizenry.
Comments
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jared Benton
Keywords: Graffiti, Graffito, Pompeii