Robert S. Duncanson’s 1871 painting Pompeii revisits a theme he first explored after his 1853 trip to Europe. Inspired by the ruins of the ancient city and its 18th-century excavation, Duncanson imagines explorers uncovering lost treasures beneath the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Blending romantic landscape with historical fantasy, the work reflects his engagement with European art and his unique perspective as one of the first internationally recognized African American artists.