From Seven Hill to Three Continents: The Art of Ancient RomeART ID 111 | Study of Ancient Arts

Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD NYIT Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology

With modifications by Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, UAP

Roman Art:

The earliest Roman art is generally associated with the overthrow of the Etruscan kings and the establishment of the Republic in 509 BC.

Copycats:

While the traditional view of Roman artists is that they often borrowed from, and copied Greek precedents (much of the Greek sculpture known today is in the form of Roman marble copies), more recent analysis has indicated that Roman art is a highly creative pastiche relying heavily on Greek models but also encompassing Etruscan, native Italic, and even Egyptian visual culture. Stylistic eclecticism and practical application are the hallmarks of much Roman art.

Ancient Roman Art Periods:

• Republic • Pompeii And The Cities Of Vesuvius • Early Empire • High Empire• Late Empire

Major Art Forms:• Architecture• Painting• Sculpture• Mosaic Work

Republican Roman Art

Temple of “Fortuna Virilis”

from Rome, Italy

ca. 75 B.C.E.

Head of a Roman patrician

ca. 75-50 B.C.E.marble

approximately 1 ft. 2 in. high

The surviving portraits of prominent Roman Republican figures appear to be literal reproductions of individual faces.

Although their style derives to some degree form Hellenistic and Etruscan,

and perhaps even Ptolemaic Egyptian, portraits, Republican portraits are one way the patrician class celebrated its

elevated position in society. These patricians did not ask sculptors to make

them appear nobler than they were. Instead, they requested brutally

realistic images of distinctive features.

Portrait of a Roman General

Tivoli, Italy

ca. 75 - 50 B.C.E.marble

6 ft. 2 in. high

It was also the practice in sculpture during the Republican period to place

portrait heads on youthful, heroic bodies.

Dinarius with Portrait of Julius Caesar

44 B.C.E.silver3/4 in.

 dictator perpetuus

Amphitheater

Pompeii, Italy | ca. 80 B.C.E.

First Style wall painting

fauces of the Samnite House, Herculaneum, Italy

late 2nd century B.C.E.fresco

Dionysiac mystery friezeRoom 5, Pompeii, Italy | ca. 60-50 B.C.E. | fresco | frieze approximately 64 in.

high

Cubiculum (bedroom)

from the villa of P. Fannius Synistor

Boscoreale, Italy

ca. 40-30 B.C.E.fresco

Gardenscapefrom the Villa of Livia, Primaporta, Italyca. 30-20 B.C.E. | fresco | approximately 79 in. high

Gardenscape

from the Villa of Livia, Primaporta, Italy

ca. 30-20 B.C.E.fresco approximately 79 in. high

still life with peaches

Detail of 4th style wall paintingHerculaneum, Italy

ca. 62-79 C.E.fresco 1 ft. 2 in. x 1 ft. 1 1/2 in.

Imperial Roman Art

Portrait of Augustus as general

from Primaporta, Italy

ca. 20 B.C.E.marble

80 in. high

Head of Caesar Augustus

ca. 100 C.E.marble with traces of

polychrome

Ara Pacis AugustaeRome, Italy

ca. 13-9 B.C.E. | marble | 63 in. high

Ara Pacis Augustae

Rome, Italy

ca. 13-9 B.C.E.marble63 in. high

Maison Carée

Nimes, France | ca. 1-10 C.E.

Maison Carée

Nimes, France | ca. 1-10 C.E.

Pont-du-Gard

Nimes, France

ca. 16 B.C.E.

Pont-du-Gard

Nimes, France

ca. 16 B.C.E.

ColosseumRome, Italy | ca. 70-80 C.E.

ColosseumRome, Italy | ca. 70-80 C.E.

ColosseumRome, Italy | ca. 70-80 C.E.

Arch of Titus

Rome, Italy

81 C.E.

Arch of Titus

Rome, Italy

81 C.E.

Portrait bust of a Flavian woman

from Rome, Italy

ca. 90 C.E.marble

25 in. high

Portrait of Carcalla

ca. 211-217 C.E.marble

14 in. high

Pantheon | Rome, Italy | ca. 118-125 C.E.

Pantheon | Rome, Italy | ca. 118-125 C.E.

Al-Khazneh

Petra, Jordan

2nd century C.E. http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_09/Nautica/09Nautica_12.html

Al-Khazneh

Petra, Jordan

2nd century C.E. http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_09/Nautica/09Nautica_12.html

Al-Khazneh

Petra, Jordan

2nd century C.E. http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_09/Nautica/09Nautica_12.html

Al-Khazneh

Petra, Jordan

2nd century C.E. http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_09/Nautica/09Nautica_12.html

Al-Khazneh

Petra, Jordan

2nd century C.E. http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_09/Nautica/09Nautica_12.html

Al-Khazneh

Petra, Jordan

2nd century C.E.

Al-Khazneh

Petra, Jordan

2nd century C.E.http://img.geocaching.com/cache/a1211248-7d21-424a-8e9f-

bb0e1aae90d2.jpg

Model of an Insula

Ostia, Italy | 2nd century C.E.

Equestrian statue of Marcus

Aurelius

from Rome, Italy

ca. 175 C.E.bronze | 11 ft. 6 in.

high

Equestrian statue of Marcus

Aurelius

from Rome, Italy

ca. 175 C.E.bronze | 11 ft. 6 in.

high

Mummy portrait

from Faiyum, Egypt

ca. 160-170 C.E.encaustic on wood

Portrait Bust of Trajan Decius

Capitolino, Rome

249-251 C.E.marble

2 ft. 7 in. high

Asiatic Sarcophagus with kline portrait of a woman165-170 C.E. | marble | 5 ft. 7 in. high

Sarcophagus of a Philosopher

270-280 C.E. | marble | 4 ft. 11 in. high

Portraits of the four tetrarchs

St. Mark’s, Venice

ca. 305 C.E. | porphyry | 51 in. high

Portraits of the four tetrarchs

St. Mark’s, Veniceca. 305 C.E. | porphyry | 51 in.

high

Arch of ConstantineRome, Italy | ca. 312-315

C.E.

Arch of Constantine

Rome, Italy

ca. 312-315 C.E.

Remnants from theColossal Statue of Constantine

from the Basilica Nova, Rome, Italy

ca. 315-330 C.E.marblehead approximately 8 ft. 6 in. high

The great head is carved in a typical, abstract, Constantinian of late Roman portrait statues, whereas the other body parts are naturalistic, even down to callused toes and bulging forearm veins.

Basilica Nova

Rome, Italy | 306-312 C.E.

Aula Palatina (Basilica)

Trier, Germany | early 4th century C.E.

Aula Palatina (Basilica)

Trier, Germany

early 4th century C.E.

Palace of Diocletian

Split, Croatia

ca. 300 - 305 C.E.

Arch of ConstantineRome, Italy | ca. 312-315 C.E.

•Architectural styles (arches & columns, domes, sculptures, frescoes, mosaics...)• Efficient highway system (still followed today by modern roads)•Mass entertainment : stadiums & amphitheatres (ancestors of modern stadiums)•Aqueducts and viaducts (the world's first bridges to cross valleys)•Thermal baths, central heating and floor heating•Wine-making (creating a lasting tradition in France, Italy, Spain...)•Roman alphabet (the world's most widespread writing system)•Latin language and descendants + influence on other European languages•Roman legal system (basis of many European legal system to this day)•The Republic & Senate (inspiration for modern democracies)•The Julian Calendar (including current names of the months)•Festivals (Carnival, Christmas, etc. had Roman origins)•The 3 course meal (starter, main dish, desert)• Arch + Dome + Concrete

Some of the greatest Ancient Roman contribution(s) to the modern world

Sources

• http://www.wadsworth.com/art_d/templates/student_resources/0155050907_kleiner/studyguide/ch10/ch10_1.html

• http://websites.swlearning.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=0155050907&discipline_number=436

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_art • Art Through the Ages, 12th/11th ed., Gardner