Presented by the European Union, Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life, showcases the evocative photography of Luigi Spina, capturing the ancient city of Pompeii like never before.
Captured during the pandemic when Pompeii was eerily silent and emply, Renowned Italian photographer Luigi Spina brings this ancient city to life with his purpose-built camera that allows photos to be taken in natural light. The images take audiences inside the homes, streets, and everyday spaces of the ancient city, capturing a moment of stillness that connects today’s audiences with lives lived two millennia ago.
These stunning images invite us to walk its storied streets, hear the echoes of people’s lives, and marvel at the intricate frescoes that capture both the grandeur and intimacy of an ancient European way of living.
The commonalities with a modern way of life are striking, and South Australia – with its own deep European heritage and growing ties to Europe across trade, agriculture and defence – provides the perfect setting for this dialogue between Europe’s past and a shared future.
David Roche Gallery Director Robert Reason says the exhibition’s focus on Pompeii’s richly decorated interiors sits naturally alongside the Gallery’s own collection. “The unique archaeological site and cultural heritage of Pompeii speak directly to the kind of European decorative arts and history David Roche Gallery was built to preserve, and we’re delighted to bring this exhibition to Adelaide audiences,” he says.
What: Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life – Photographs by Luigi Spina
Where: David Roche Gallery, 241 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
When: 7 November – 30 January 2027 (open Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed public holidays)
Cost: Adults $15. Concession $12. DRG Member $11. Children 18 & Under Free
Image captions
House of the Ancient Hunt, VII.4.48, Luigi Spina
Thermopolium V.3, Luigi Spina
David Roche Gallery, Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life, Sam Roberts photography 2026.
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