This exhibition is made up of 170 exhibits all depicting the maritime and rustic villa life of Stabiae, from 89 BC up to the eruption of AD 79. Our beautifully preserved frescoes come mostly from elite countryside villas, they tell us so much about the atmosphere surrounding the Romans who owned them, as well as give us beauty and splendour.
Here the villa’s inhabitants were able to break from the hustle and bustle of Rome, and enjoy the rich culture and pleasures of Campania.
National Hermitage Museum – St. Petersburg
Our exhibition was set in the beautiful Bosporan Room designed by Leo von Klenze, it was restored and opened to the public for the opening of Otium ludens. Otium Ludens sincerely thanks the firm 2smart and the RAS foundation for the perfect organization and display of the exhibition.
Opening dates December 8, 2007 – May 18, 2008
Visitors: 500,000
Promoters: State Hermitage Museum / Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Naples and Pompeii / Region Campania / Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation.
With the collaboration of the Italian Consulate and the Italian Institute of Culture in St. Petersburg.
Hong Kong Museum of Art
At this venue, we were privileged to be able to use a soundscape, a selection of songs from the ancient Mediterranean world.
Opening dates: July 18 – October 5, 2008
Visitors: 47,000
Promoters: Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Naples and Pompeii, Campania Region, Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation.
With the collaboration of the Italian Consulate and the Italian Institute of Culture in Hong Kong
Monumental Complex of San Nicolò in Ravenna
The only Italian venue of the tour played host to comparisons between the frescoes of the ancient Roman villas and more current decorations of churches. Samples from villa frescoes, and structures dating from the late Gothic to the late Baroque period, as well as bi-coloured mosaics from a nearby archaeological site were curated together for viewers to admire.
Opening dates: March 14 – November 1 2009
Visitors: 50,700
Promoters: Archaeological Park Foundation Class / Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Naples and Pompeii / Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation
