VII.13.4 Pompeii. Casa di Ganimede or House of Ganymede or Casa delle Quattro stagioni.

Linked to VII.13.3, VII.13.17 and VII.13.18. Excavated 1839 and 1863. (Strada dell’Abbondanza 52).

VII.13.4 Pompeii. September 2005. Entrance on Via dell’Abbondanza.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. December 2005. Entrance doorway. 

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Threshold, sill or step of the entrance.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. West side of entrance fauces.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. September 2004. East side of entrance fauces.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Upper part of west wall of entrance fauces or corridor.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking north along entrance fauces towards atrium.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Flooring of entrance fauces.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Flooring of entrance fauces.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. August 2021. Looking north across atrium with remains of impluvium. Photo courtesy of Robert Hanson.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking north-east across atrium with remains of impluvium. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking north across atrium with remains of impluvium.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. September 2004. Looking north across atrium and impluvium.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking east from entrance towards steps to upper floor and small storeroom.

According to Fiorelli –

A destra si trova la scaletta del piano superiore attigua ad un rustico cubicolo, che altro ne teneva accanto decorato nelle pareti con bustini rinchiusi in circolo, interamente svaniti,e da figurine isolate in mezzo a scompartimenti architettonici, che si riconoscono tuttavia per quelle di Venere pescatrice, di Paride (?) con Amore sull’omero e di Narciso in piedi con Amore allato che si specchia nell’onda. Indi evvi l’ala, che conteneva un grande armadio, e dalla quale entravasi nel cennato cubicolo, nonche in un compreso rustico probabilmente servito per deposito di quel generi, di cui il servo della casa faceva smercio nell’annessa bottega.

(translation ”To the right, one finds the stairs to the upper floor adjoining to a rustic cubiculum, while another nearby was decorated in the walls with heads enclosed in medallions, entirely faded and vanished, and by isolated figures in the midst of architectural decorations, which one could recognize however, as being Venus Pescatrice, of Paris (?) with Cupid on the shoulder and of Narcissus standing with Cupid who was reflected in the water.

Then there was the ala, which contained a large cupboard, and from which one entered into the indicated cubiculum, the rustic room probably served for storage of those things which the servant of the house sold in the adjoining shop.”)

See Fiorelli, G: Descrizione di Pompei, 1875. (p.295-6)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Cubiculum on east side of atrium.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. c.1930. Room “i”, cubiculum on east side of atrium.

Mosaic central decoration set in floor of cocciopesto dotted with crosses made of four white tesserae, with a small black tile in the centre.

DAIR 41.775. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.

See Pernice, E.  1938. Pavimente und Figürliche Mosaiken: Die Hellenistische Kunst in Pompeji, Band VI. Berlin: de Gruyter, (taf. 49.3.)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. North wall of cubiculum.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. c.1840. Painting by James William Wild, showing side and central panel of a wall in the cubiculum.

Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, inventory number E.3993-1938.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Pre-1852. Drawings by Zahn of two figures, both on a yellow background, from the cubiculum.

On the left, Narcissus with two lances or javelins, looking at his reflection. Narcissus with a violet mantle, the cupid with blue wings.

On the right, a young man with a cupid on his shoulder, also with a lance. Perhaps this could be Adonis. He had a green mantle with blue embroidery, the wings of the cupid were violet.

See Zahn, W., 1852-59. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: III. Berlin: Reimer, taf. 63.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of a painting of a young standing hunter (according to Helbig - Adonis?) with a cupid.

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, (1395).

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 753.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of a painting of fishing Venus and a cupid, from a cubiculum.

This design had been done during the excavation; La Volpe made the similar drawing 20 years later, see below.

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, (352).

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 750.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Nicola La Volpe, c.1860, of painting of Venus ‘Pescatrice’, from cubiculum.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 749.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of a painting of Narcissus with a cupid, from cubiculum.

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, (1350).

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 754.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of a painting of a cupid.

This painting has now faded and been destroyed, and it is not certain from which room it came.

According to PPM this was executed contemporaneously with the excavations and may be from cubiculum (i) the same cubiculum as ADS 753 by Abbate and a drawing from La Volpe some 20 years later.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 763.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

See Carratelli, G. P., 2003. Pompei: La documentazione nell'Opera di disegnatori e pittori dei secoli XVIII e XIX. Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, p. 254, fig. 30; p. 688, fig. 141.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Nicola La Volpe, 1860, of painting of Adonis(?) and a cupid from cubiculum, as compared with Giuseppe Abbate, above.

The drawings of the cupids, were also painted by Abbate, but not known from which room

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 762.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking north-east towards ala and two doorways of oecus.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. December 2018.

Looking north across atrium towards peristyle, with oecus/cubiculum with two doorways, on right. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Two doorways of oecus/cubiculum on east side of peristyle.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Two doorways of oecus. This has also been described as a cubiculum, but was open onto the peristyle.

According to Fiorelli,

Manca il tablino, e vi teneva luogo uno spazioso ambulacro che precede il giardino, a destra del quale trovasi l’oecus abbellito da tre dipinti, che ritraggono Endimione addormentato, cui dall’alto apparisce Diana portando in mano la face, e contro la quale latre il cane del giovine cacciatore.  Ganimede che dorme, sorvegliato dall’Amore seduto su di un rupe, e contemplato da una divinita locale. Vi sono pure dipinto le Stagioni, cioe la Primavera con l’agnello sull’omero, ed in mano la fiscella delle ricotte; l’Esta stringendo una piccola falce; l’Autunno coronato di pampini, con ramo e cesta di frutta; l’Inverno avviluppato nel manto, recando due anitre.

(trans. "Missing its tablinum, and there in its place was a spacious walkway that precedes the garden, to the right of which the oecus is embellished with three paintings, depicting the slumbering Endymion, with Diana appearing above, carrying the torch in her hand, and against whom one of the dogs of the young hunter barks.

Ganymede sleeps, guarded by a Cupid seated on a cliff, and contemplated by a local divinity. The Seasons are also painted, that is Spring with the lamb on the shoulder, and in hand the wicker-basket with the ricotta; Summer carrying a small sickle/scythe; Autumn crowned with vine-leaves, with a branch and a basket of fruit; Winter wrapped in a mantle, carrying two ducks. ")

See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.115)

See Fiorelli, G. Descrizione di Pompei, 1875. (p.296).

According to Fiorelli, in PAH:

3rd August 1840 –

Nel secondo de’nominati locali, essendosi scoperte le pareti della seconda stanza a destra l’ingresso della nominata casa, si osserva nel muro di fronte di detta stanza un quadretto di mediocre pennello, di pal. 2.5 per 2 rappresentante Endimione e Diana; e in quello a sinistra simile quadretto figurante Atteone dormiente, ed in quello a destra varii Baccanti.

(trans. In the second of the nominated places, having excavated the walls of the second room to the right of the entrance of the named house, we observed on the facing wall of the said room, a painting of mediocre quality, size pal.2.5 by 2, representing Endymion and Diana; on the wall to the left was a similar painting showing sleeping Acteon, and on the wall to the right were various Bacchantes.)

See Fiorelli G., 1840. Pompeianarum antiquitatum historia, Vol. 2: 1819 - 1860, Naples, 1840, p.381.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. c.1840.

Painting by James William Wild, from north wall of oecus showing painting of Ganymede in central panel.

In the left side panel is a painting of Spring.

Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, inventory number E.3996-1938.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. 1840. Drawing by Zahn of sleeping Ganymede, from north wall of oecus/cubiculum.

According to Zahn, this painting was discovered in the Strada de’ Mercadanti, in a house near to the Calcidium, opposite the Casa del Cignale, (Cinghiale).

See Zahn, W., 1842-44. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: II. Berlin: Reimer, taf. 32.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of painting from north wall of oecus/cubiculum on east side of peristyle, at the time of excavation.

See Fiorelli G., 1840. Pompeianarum antiquitatum historia, Vol. 2: 1819 - 1860, Naples, p.381, dated 3rd August 1840.

The drawing was of the painting which gave the name to the house, showing sleeping Ganymede and the eagle.

The painting has now faded and disappeared.

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, (155).

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 756.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Nicola La Volpe, April 1860, of the painting of sleeping Ganymede and the eagle, twenty years later.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 758.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of painting from wall of triclinium/oecus/cubiculum on east side of peristyle, at the time of excavation.

The drawing was of the painting showing Endymion and Selene, now faded and disappeared.

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, (942).

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 757.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Nicola La Volpe, April 1860, of painting from wall of triclinium/oecus/cubiculum on east side of peristyle, twenty years later. 

The drawing was of the painting showing Endymion and Selene.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 755.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, (942).

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Zahn, 1840. Drawing of painting by Zahn of Endymion and Diane (Selene?).

According to Zahn this painting was found on a yellow wall surrounded by a reddish/brown border of one and a half inches, in the same room the Seasons, see below, were painted similarly on a yellow background.

See Zahn, W., 1842-44. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: II. Berlin: Reimer, taf. 41.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. 1840.

Drawing by Zahn provenanced from an excavation in the Strada de’ Mercadanti in a house near to the Calcidicum, opposite Casa del Cignale. According to Zahn, these are drawings of Autumn and Winter from the oecus/cubiculum in this house, and from which it gained one of its names, Casa delle Quattro Stagioni. 

See Zahn, W., 1842-44. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: II. Berlin: Reimer, taf. 22.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of painting seen on wall of triclinium/oecus/cubiculum.

This drawing has been described as Spring, but fits the description of Autumn better -

“Autumn crowned with vine-leaves, with a branch and a basket of fruit”.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 751.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of painting of “Winter” seen on wall of oecus/cubiculum.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 760.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. 1840.

Drawing by Zahn provenanced from an excavation in the Strada de’ Mercadanti in a house near to the Calcidicum, opposite Casa del Cignale. According to Zahn, these are drawings of Spring and Summer from the oecus/cubiculum in this house, and from which it gained one of its names, Casa delle Quattro Stagioni. 

See Zahn, W., 1842-44. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: II. Berlin: Reimer, taf. 21.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of painting seen on wall of oecus/cubiculum.

This drawing has been described as Autumn, but fits the description of Spring better -

“Spring with the lamb on the shoulder, and in hand the basket with the ricotta.”

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 759.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. Drawing by Giuseppe Abbate, 1840, of painting of “Summer” seen on wall of oecus/cubiculum.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number ADS 752.

Photo © ICCD. https://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it/

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010.

Looking north across atrium, towards peristyle and passage to rear entrance at VII.13.17 and 18.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking north along east side of peristyle towards VII.13.17 and 18.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking north across atrium to peristyle.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking north across peristyle to very large triclinium.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking north across peristyle towards large triclinium.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking across peristyle to west wall of large triclinium.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. North-west corner of peristyle with painted plaster, and rear triclinium room of VII.13.21.

According to Boyce, on the west wall of the peristyle was a rectangular niche.

Originally this appeared to have been fitted with an aedicula façade but now gone.

The interior walls were coated with white stucco and had delicate decorations in relief.

These included a cornice which ran around the top of the three walls.

See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71 no.323)

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. West side of atrium, with two doorways to cubicula and the ala.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Two doorways to cubicula and the ala.

VII.13.4 Pompeii. May 2010. Cubiculum in south-west corner of atrium.