In this masters thesis, Sophie Dunlop has responded using paint to the rich subject matter and style of the ancient Roman artists whose work was discovered in Pompeii. Dunlop has tried to capture their joy and love for the natural environment and the spirit of their Xenia frescoes in particular. These frescoes were painted in the houses of wealthy Roman citizens, the still life subjects were painted with the intention of sharing food and hospitality with their guests. The ancient painters focussed on the sensory aspect of the local produce and painted in a spontaneous way. Dunlop's paintings which are illustrated in this book are the main focus of this research project, they were painted over a period of 3 years.