The second phase painting
The condition of the second phase fresco was generally poor, this was, in part at least, due to having taken the brunt of the blow suffered when the supporting wall collapsed on to the robbed out hypocaust. The surface also seemed rather weathered and it may be that it was exposed to the elements for some time before this collapse. The quality of its workmanship was also inferior to that employed in the creation of the first phase painting. Its relatively simple design appeared to consist of red and yellow ochre stripes.
A detailed description of this painting and its place in Roman art history is given in the Art History section by Doctor Roger Ling
When the design schemes of the two phases are compared, as may be seen in the above illustration, it is clear that the second paintings scheme represents a pastiche of the earlier works more elaborate design.
The simplicity of the second painting has been attributed to a lack of resources at the time of its creation in the third century, however as this decoration was likely to have been carried out at the same time as the insertion of a polychrome mosaic floor into the room, and is most likely to be the event commemorated in a large multi panelled marble inscription, it more probably reflects a change in style and taste.
