Events Calendar

February 12
Tuesday, 6:30 pm
Young Friends Event
Fifty Shades of Pompeii

Buried by thick layers of ash and mud from the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE, the erotic art of Pompeii has enthralled and embarrassed audiences since its rediscovery in the 18th century. These explicit, salacious paintings of ancient Rome rival any page of today's most popular steamy novels. Join the Young Friends of the Penn Museum as they explore the murals and mosaics of Pompeii with speaker Dr. C. Brian Rose, Curator-in-Charge, Mediterranean Section, at this annual Valentine's event. A cocktail and dessert reception follows, with a cash bar available. $10, general public; $5, Penn Museum members; $5, PennCard holders.

Erotic scene in fresco from Pompeii.
Photo Credit: Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY