The exhibition takes place in the western portico of the Palestra Grande (1st century BCE), located in the Archaeological Park of Pompeii (Regio II). This majestic structure, with its clean architectural layout, is notable for the harmony of its proportions. The portico, with its regularly spaced columns, encloses a large garden with a pool where, in antiquity, young male members of the aristocracy trained in physical and athletic exercises as part of their cultural and military education. In 2019, this section of the portico was enclosed with a modern steel and glass structure, designed according to museum standards, making it suitable for hosting temporary exhibitions. This intervention, blending tradition and modernity, is seamlessly integrated into the prestigious archaeological setting.
The project “Being a Woman in Ancient Pompeii” seeks to restore voice and visibility to a key—yet often overlooked—segment of Pompeian society: women. Through a compelling and inclusive narrative, the exhibition brings their stories to light, encouraging critical reflection on their legacy. The displayed artifacts—including jewelry, sculptures, graffiti, and frescoes—shed light on various aspects of women’s daily lives, work, beliefs, and rituals, revealing the complexity of their social roles and their interactions with the male world.
The exhibition unfolds through themed sections defined by three-meter-high rectangular metal frames, which structure the exhibition path. Designed to hold texts, graphics, and frescoes, these structures feature a distinctive “double skin”: an ivory-colored inner surface contrasts with the outer layer of black metal, decorated with geometric patterns inspired by Pompeian mosaics, created through an excision process. The cut-out motifs, which grow denser toward the center and fade out toward the edges, symbolize the passage of time and create a striking visual effect. This interplay of light and shadow enhances the visitor’s experience with a rich and immersive atmosphere. As the excised patterns interact with both natural and artificial lighting, the ambiance of the space continually shifts, creating a dynamic and engaging environment.
The exhibition modules, made from chemically bronzed black sheet metal and supported by lightweight iron frames, blend seamlessly with the new coordinated linoleum flooring, giving the impression that the display structures are a natural extension of their surroundings. The lighting design, intentionally minimalist, focuses attention on the artifacts, highlighting their significance.
The visitor’s journey is enriched with several evocative moments.
At the entrance, a series of female busts and statues welcome visitors as silent guardians of Pompeian women’s memory. Opposite these sculpted figures stands an immersive wall on which the names of Pompeian women—taken from graffiti and epitaphs—are projected in a continuous loop. This symbolic act restores their voices and identities, often lost to history. The interaction between the sculptures and the names creates a powerful emotional bridge between the ancient and the contemporary.
Midway through the exhibition, in the section dedicated to “Spaces of Female Power,” visitors enter the evocative Exedra of the Palestra Grande. At its center stands a replica of the statue of Eumachia, one of the most influential women in Pompeii’s history. The statue, placed at the heart of the exhibition space, is surrounded by three projection walls used for immersive storytelling. These visual narratives illustrate Eumachia’s role as both an entrepreneur and a priestess of Venus, as well as her close association with the fullones, the guild of launderers and dyers for whom she financed the construction of the monumental Portico of Eumachia in the Forum. This presentation powerfully conveys the influence and authority that women could wield in antiquity.
The exhibition concludes with the section “Return to Pompeii”, where film clips—from early silent cinema and classical peplum films to more recent productions—are screened. Through these cinematic works, visitors are guided along a journey that shows how different eras and film styles have reimagined the role of women in the ancient world. This section not only enriches the emotional dimension of the exhibition but also incorporates cinema as a storytelling tool, offering a thoughtful reflection on how the women of Pompeii have been portrayed over time in the collective imagination.