Niccolini Brothers' Color Lithographs of Pompeii Published in Installments (1854-1896)

In the 19th century, the Niccolini brothers, Fausto and Felice, utilized the innovative method of color lithography to capture Pompeii as excavations transitioned into a scholarly archaeological phase. Their work, titled "Le case ed i monumenti di Pompei" ("The Houses and Monuments of Pompeii"), was published in parts from 1854 to 1896 in Naples. This publication featured more than 400 color plates showcasing views, maps, and ground plans of the city along with its public structures, granting unprecedented insight into private homes. The plates highlighted remarkable wall paintings and documented buildings, frescoes, statues, and everyday items from a city that was buried in just 24 hours by Vesuvius's eruption and remained preserved for over 1,600 years. The Niccolinis aimed to depict every facet of life in this ancient city.