Expert Insight: The House of the Vettii, Pompeii

One of the city’s most beautiful homes was owned by two freedman brothers

This week, I finally stepped inside the House of the Vettii. This was a moment I had been anticipating for years. After an extensive and painstaking restoration spanning nine years, and closure to the public for a further 11, this iconic house has once again opened its doors to visitors, revealing its extraordinary frescoes and garden in breathtaking clarity. I knew it would be special, but nothing quite prepared me for the sheer magnificence of what I saw.

As I crossed the threshold, I audibly gasped. The richness of the colours, the dynamism of the scenes, and the overwhelming sense of luxury were intoxicating. Every surface was alive with intricate detail, from mythological narratives to playful depictions of Cupids at work and play, and servants at work. This house was the ultimate statement in wealth, taste, and aspiration.

At its core, the House of the Vettii tells a story not just of opulence, but of social mobility. Its owners, two brothers named Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Conviva, were former slaves turned wealthy wine merchants whose home was a bold declaration of their success. The decor of the house was carefully designed to project an image of sophistication and cultural literacy, though not without an element of ostentation.

In this article, I want to take you through the house as I experienced it: first, as a whole, with its striking architectural layout and artistic programme, then a closer look at the visual motifs that reflect the social identities of its freedman owners. Finally, I’ll explore the room that left the biggest impression on me: the Room of the Cupids, a space that radiates pure delight.