The Painters of Pompeii: Roman Frescoes from the National Archaeological Museum, Naples will see a number of collection highlights travel to North America for the first time. Opening June 26 and running through October 17, this historic presentation of the art of painting in ancient Rome will be presented exclusively at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art before returning to Europe.

Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, burying much of the countryside around the Bay of Naples, including the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The eruption preserved the cities until excavations began in the 1700s. Excavations unearthed extensive and richly colored frescoes painted on the walls of homes and public buildings throughout the cities. The exhibition highlights this snapshot in time through over 80 artifacts and artworks.