In its original layout that dates back to the mid-second century BC, the house was joined to the adjacent dwelling, forming one large property. In the last phase of life in Pompeii, the house was restored and most of the walls were repainted. Among the frescoes of this era there is the large painting with Adonis dying and Aphrodite painted in the garden, which named the house.

In Greek mythology, Adonis, a nice-looking young man, loved by Aphrodite, died because Mars (or Apollo, according to some), driven by jealousy, made a wild boar attack him during a chase in the woods. Anemones grew from the blood of Adonis.

In the large opening on to the garden there is another painting based on love and desire: on the east wall, to the left, one can see the remains of a fresco showing the "Toilet of Hermaphrodite". The unfulfilled and unfulfillable love that we find in these paintings, was a recurring theme in ancient literature and art.

Date of excavation: 1835-1838.