In front of the magnificent temple of Apollo: a reconstruction of Pompeii before the terrible eruption of 79 A.D. A scene drawn by Sphere special artist Fortunino Matania, done whilst visiting excavations of the ancient Roman town. Born in Naples, Matania had spent much of his childhood exploring Pompeii and his fondness and skill for historical reconstruction in later life was ignited by these early impressions. Here, the artist draws himself imagining Pompeii in its heyday. He writes in the caption, 'Beautiful Pompeii rose from the ruins as I looked at it.'