A new show on ''the Malibu of Ancient Rome'' has opened its doors in Washington's National Gallery of Art.
Entitled 'Pompeii And The Roman Villa', the exhibition spotlights the culture, art and luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the empire's wealthy elite in an area destroyed by Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago.
Over 150 items are on display, including mosaics, sculptures, paintings and jewellery, mostly on loan from the Naples Archaeological Museum.
The Bay of Naples area was a popular summer getaway for prominent Romans from the first century BC onwards, as well as being home to a growing number of permanent wealthy residents.
Over the decades, dozens of sumptuous seaside villas and gardens were built, decorated in ornate style by some of the empire's greatest artists.
The exhibit asks visitors to imagine the Bay of Naples as a modern-day Malibu in California, providing a relaxing resort for those with money to spare.
It reconstructs the homes of Rome's upper crust, which boasted lush gardens, inner courtyards decorated with valuable artworks and private swimming pools.
It also spotlights a host of luxury goods discovered by archaeologists in the 300 years since excavation first started in the area.
Solid silver wine goblets, jewelled caskets that once contained exotic perfumes and the remains of gourmet delicacies, such as flamingo tongue and roast ostrich, are among the items uncovered.
In addition, the exhibition documents the fascination of Rome's nouveau riche with Greek culture, through books by Epicurius and Plato, garden sculptures of nude athletes and scantily clad statues of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
''We are honoured to have an exhibition of such treasures in our museum for five months,'' commented National Gallery Director, Earl Powell.
Campania region Social Policies Councillor, Alfonsina De Felice, said she hoped the exhibit would help visitors look beyond media stereotypes and interest them in the real beauties of the southern region.
''This is a marvellous exhibit in a prestigious structure which will help us show the real Campania, which is not about waste problems but is rather a treasure trove of rare and precious items''.
The exhibit remains in the National Gallery of Art until March 22. It then travels to California, where it will go on display in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, from May 3 until October 4 next year.
