The wealth of Pompeii meant that the city was filled with artwork. Virtually every surface and every object was painted or carved in some artistic fashion, which must have added to the atmosphere of luxury. Paintings were primarily done in the Third Style, which is characterized by psuedo-architectural elements, which make the art look like part of the building. Some houses, such as the House of the Vettii, House of the Faun, and the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto contain a wealth of Pompeiian art.Grand, elaborate mosaics such as the one this detail of Alexander the Great comes from were extremely uncommon, and indicated the high social class of the owner of the house. However, mosaics were common as decoration for walls and floors, both internal and external. The visual artwork provides keys to the religious mythologies and social mores of the time. Frescoes and sculptures celebrated the Roman gods and goddesses and the Emperor, giving testament to the religious beliefs held by the wealthy Pompeiians. Many frescoes and household objects have been uncovered in both public and private spaces that are of a sexual nature, which indicate social mores that were liberated even by modern standards.
Click here to see photos of artwork recovered from Pompeii.