The interiors of Roman buildings were often decorated using bold colours and designs. Wall paintings or frescoes were commonly seen in public buildings, private homes, temples, tombs and even military structures across the Roman world.
Designs could range from the very simple to extremely realistic or elaborate, and would sometimes cover all the walls and ceilings. Images included portraits, gods/goddesses, mythological creatures, architecture, flora/fauna and even entire landscapes.
Roman frescoes were created by the artist painting the artwork on the still-damp plaster of the wall, so that the painting becomes part of the wall.
This painted wall plaster is of a peacock and may have formed part of a more intricate design, possibly to do with the seasons or to complement a story found in one of the floor’s many mosaics.
