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All the United States Michigan Ann Arbor 'Villa of the Mysteries' Replica
AO Edited

'Villa of the Mysteries' Replica

A watercolor recreation of a famous fresco unearthed at Pompeii.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

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John Meszaros
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‘Villa of the Mysteries’ Replica   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
‘Villa of the Mysteries’ Replica   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
‘Villa of the Mysteries’ Replica   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance to the gallery.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Newberry Hall, where the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology is housed.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1909, archaeologists excavating the city of Pompeii uncovered a Roman villa that still contained painted frescoes on the walls of one of its rooms. The artwork depicted the mystery rites of a religious cult associated with Dionysus. Images included scenes of women cavorting with fauns and winged figures, and undergoing ritual ecstasies, dancing, and flagellation. Researchers dubbed this dwelling the "Villa of the Mysteries."

In 1924, archaeologist Francis Kelsey commissioned Italian artist Maria Barosso to create a replica of the wall paintings. Using watercolors, Barosso painted 21 paper-on-canvas panels that could be fitted together to replicate the look of the room, including all the cracks, plaster flakes, and other imperfections that were present when the Villa was first excavated.

Kelsey intended to display the replica frescoes at the University of Michigan but passed away in 1927 before they arrived on campus. When the pieces did arrive at the school, they were put into storage in the archaeology museum that would come to bear Kelsey’s name. They remained there for decades, with individual panels brought out for educational purposes and two brief exhibitions.

In 2005, the museum received a sizable monetary donation that allowed them to build a special exhibit room to finally display all of Barosso’s villa paintings fully assembled. This allows visitors to experience some sense of what the frescoes would have looked like when archaeologists came upon them in the early 1900s.

Related Tags

Museums History & Culture Art Fresco

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Parking is available on the street or in the nearby Maynard Street Parking Structure. The museum is free, though donations are welcome.

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Johnmeszaros

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tmcd, sinclairpam

  • tmcd
  • sinclairpam

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March 1, 2021

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  • https://lsa.umich.edu/kelsey/publications/all-publications/the-villa-of-the-mysteries-in-pompeii--ancient-ritual--modern-mu.html
  • https://kelsey-museum.blog/tag/villa-of-the-mysteries/
  • http://pompeiisites.org/en/archaeological-site/villa-of-the-mysteries/
'Villa of the Mysteries' Replica
434 S State St
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109
United States
42.276769, -83.741009
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