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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