On November 20th, 2022, Contemporanea Progetti and its partner Expona successfully opened the exhibition Dying in Beauty: The World of Pompeii and Herculaneum at the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands.
On show a special selection of +100 archaeological treasures drawing from the extensive collection of the MANN – Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples and the Parco Archeologico Ercolano in Herculaneum, including colorful frescoes, marble statues, golden jewelry, mosaics and fountains that decorated the
homes and gardens of ancient Romans. After tracing an historical excursus on the eruption of mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and on the archaeological discoveries of the city of Pompeii, Herculaneum and surroundings, the exhibition focuses on all the aspects of daily life before the devastating volcanic eruption, highlighting the concept of beauty and art underlying political and ethical ideals of Ancient Rome.
Through different thematic sections visitors discover the domus romanae as well as the buildings of the political life, learning both about the aesthetic values and the political ideals of the Romans.
The original artworks – some never exhibited before outside of Italy – dialogue with modern interactive equipments, multimedia devices and immersive rooms.
Photo credits: Sake Elzinga