The House of the Vettii emerged from the earth between September 1894 and January 1896. This excavation timeline stands in stark contrast to earlier eighteenth-century discoveries where houses were rifled for museum-worthy objects.
The site sits in region VI near the Vesuvian Gate, bordered by the Vicolo di Mercurio and the Vicolo dei Vettii. The house spans the entire southern section of block 15 making it one of the largest domus in Pompeii.
Scholars determined ownership through names found on two bronze seals located in the front hall engraved with Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Convivaes. Further evidence includes wax tablets and notices pasted on the outside of the house identifying Conviva as an Augustalis priest.
Art historians now classify these paintings under the Pompeiian Fourth Style which combines elements from previous styles including faux colored marble rings at the bottom indicating First Pompeian style. Illusionistic scenes appear in the top ring borrowed from Second style while unrealistically thin columns support the upper ring taken from Third style.
The House of the Vettii reopened to tourists in January 2023 after two decades of restoration work. This long period allowed for careful preservation of the frescoes completed following the earthquake of 62 AD.