Fontein met mozaïeken in Pompeï c. 1860 - 1900

Roberto Rive captured this mosaic fountain in Pompeii with photography sometime between 1825 and 1889. The fountain itself is an assembly of materials: stone, ceramic tile, and lead pipes to bring water. Mosaic, which involves carefully arranging small pieces to create a larger design, requires great patience and skill. The tesserae – those individual pieces – can be stone, glass, or ceramic, each offering a different color and texture. The fountain's design features theatrical masks and intricate geometric patterns, reflecting the cultural tastes of Pompeii before its destruction. The image of this fountain draws our attention to labor and the value of craftsmanship, and invites us to appreciate the artistry embedded in everyday life. Even in a society structured by class, access to clean, running water was deemed worthy of aesthetic consideration. Rive's photograph immortalizes this attention to detail, and also provides insight into how photography was, and continues to be, used to document and remember artistic and cultural achievements.