Pompeii show to focus on erotic art

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 15 - The Pompeii Archaeological Park will open an exhibition on April 14 dedicated to the sensuality and erotism of many frescoes and sculptures found in the houses of the ancient Roman city.
    "The issue of sensuality is omnipresent, but not in a scandalous or banal way," said Pompeii Archaeological Park Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel.
    "So we decided to put on a show about this aspect of Pompeii, an exhibition that we will inaugurate on April 14 in the Large Gymnasium.
    "It will be dedicated to the many artistic nudes present in the public spaces of the houses.
    "The issue of erotism has often caused embarrassment, but it should explained via history to provide visitors with the cultural and sociological reasons for it. "These images did not have a scandalous function, but recalled social aspects originating from the privileged relations between Rome and Greece.
    "Indeed, in Rome, and here in Pompeii, the men of power spoke Greek and art was performed at theatre in Greek.
    "So Greek mythology and its nudity was considered refined.
    "These erotic depictions, therefore, are from Greek culture and they are elements that had a social function, representing a cultural code". (ANSA).