Download Roman Art 510 BCE–476 CE

Roman Art 510 BCE–476 CE
The foundations of Roman art were native Italian
(Etruscan) and Greek (Hellenic). The distinctive
Roman style developed out of a combination of
Etruscan realism (accurate depictions of real
people and events) and Greek idealization
(depictions of mythical figures, emphasizing
beauty and universal features). Rome’s
outstanding contribution to art was portraiture, in
the form of sculptured busts and statues. Rome
is also known for fine examples of mosaics, wall
paintings, metalwork, and pottery.
a
b
SCULPTURE
Period of the Republic c. 510–27 BCE
Portraits were realistic, showing accurate likenesses
of people, with careful attention to detail in facial
expressions and poses. (a) This unsophisticated
portrayal of an orator in bronze (c. 200 BCE) was
probably commissioned by the subject for political
purposes.
Early Empire c. 27 BCE–117 CE
Revival of classical Greek styles and development of
a distinctive Roman style, blending individuality of
features with idealized Greek poses. (b) This
commemorative sculpture glorifying Emperor
Augustus (first century) combines individuality with
an idealized heroic pose. Relief sculpture during this
period recorded battles and heroes.
c
Late Empire 117–476
More realistic and elaborate sculpture; drills replaced
chisels for carving stone, allowing detailed decorative
effects in drapery and hair. (c) This massive statue
realistically portrays Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Later
in this period, Christian subjects were used in
relief sculpture.
WALL PAINTING & MOSAIC c. 100 BCE–476 CE
Roman wall paintings were often theatrical and
impressionistic. At the height of illusionism (the
Flavian period, 69–96), wall paintings of architectural
elements were used to create the effect of vanishing
perspective and the illusion of views into distant
spaces. Other wall paintings were merely decorative;
many depicted well-known mythological subjects.
Mosaics, introduced from the east, replaced painting
as a method for
decoration around
100. Mosaics were
used to decorate the
floors and walls of
many villas throughout
the empire. This
mosaic showing Venus
and cupids is from Low
Ham, a villa in
southern England.
METALWORK & POTTERY c. 100
Metalworkers in Rome
were often of Greek origin
and their work tended to
be in the classical Greek
style. Elegant silver and
gold vessels, such as this
one from the Augustan
Age (27 BCE–14 CE), were
decorated in high relief.
Wealthy citizens
commissioned them for
ornament rather than use.
The less wealthy bought
pottery, produced in highly
glazed red clay, for
practical and decorative
uses. Decorative motives
were often copied
from metalwork.
BCE–476 CE