Gemaltes Haus (Painted House), Graz

The Painted House is first mentioned in 1360. In this house the Dukes of Styria would give their subjects land in fee and otherwise carry out their public business. The manager of the building was untaxed in return for his putting up the "Prince's chair."

In the year 1600 while a brother of Styrian prince and future emperor Ferdinand lived in the house, it was painted for the first time. The artist was Ferdinand's future court painter, Giovanni Pietro de Pomis. Giovanni would also be the architect of Ferdinand's mausoleum.

In 1742 the house passed to Franz von Lathurner. Franz was a moneychanger. Another thing he liked to change was the paint job by Giovanni. He engaged Vorauer artist Johann Mayer to paint new frescoes. Mayer was a student of Johann Cyriak Hackhofer.

Mayer's frescoes cover the whole facade, 723 square feet. Nothing is left of the frescoes of Giovanni Pietro de Pomis. Mayer's work, the gods and heroes of the ancient world, has faded.

The low part of the facade had Bacchus, Vulcan and Vesta. Gods of wine, crafts and fire, respectively. Above them are Apollo (light), Jupiter (Father of the gods), and Pluto (underworld). Then comes Mercury (business, travel and borders), Mars (war), Minerva (also war, and arts), and Aesculapius (medicine).

On the top row are the heroes of both Greek and Roman mythology. The ancient world had a lot of gods and heroes. They aren't as clear as they used to be. Look close.