Roman Art700BCE-395CE

She-Wolf Example of Aqueduct

Map of Roman Republic and Empire

Etruscan Art (forerunner to Roman)

Starting 750 BCE Etruscans controlled northern and central Italy (Etruria)

They were sailors, merchants, farmers, and metalworkers.

Admired Greek and neighboring arts but did not copy, therefore, established a distinctive Etruscan style of art

Etruscan Art Temples

Sculpture:

Terra-cotta figures: Apollo

Tombs/Paintings

Bronze Work

Background of Rome

Roman Republic 509 BCE - 27 BCE (formed when expelled the Etruscan kings) Government led by few (450 years)

Roman Empire 27 BCE - 395 CE Government led by an emperor (422 years)

Saw themselves as heroic conquers as they took over the entire Italian peninsula and eventually surrounding areas.

Religion was a mixture of Roman gods, Greek gods, living rulers, and conquered rulers. Government tried to control. By the end of Roman Empire the religion was officially Christianity

Pompeii The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum

were buried by the horrendous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE

Many paintings and art were destroyed Many sculptures of bronze, stone, and

marble as well as buildings were eventually recovered

Body cast have been made of victims buried in the volcanic ash.

Characteristics of Roman Art Art style was built on a foundation of Greek

with elements of Etruscans, Egyptians, and Persians

Known for their architecture and engineering rather than art such as painting, pottery, and sculpture.

Strong desire for realism

Roman Art Sculpture

Realistic – showing appearance of everyday world

Portraiture of both publicly known and

private individuals

Augustus of Primaporta Young Flavian Woman

Constantine the Great

Contributed to Roman imperial propaganda

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius Arch of Titus

Paintings Wall Paintings-empty walls in houses were

painted with various scenes and architecture. Landscapes

Linear Perspective Atmospheric perspective

Still Life

Portraits Very popular both for royality and nonroyality

Septimius Severus, Julia Domna, and their Children

Young Woman Writing

Architecture – Romans are know for inventive techniques in architecture and engineering. In addition to architecture, systems of law and governmental structures, are some of Rome’s most important contributions to western civilization.

Types of Architecture Forums and basilicas Circuses Theaters Public baths Roads Bridges Aqueducts Residences (Apartments and Villas) Temples Colosseums

Examples of Rome’s architecture and engineering

Colosseum

(colosseum)

Dome of the Pantheon

(temple)

Roman Circus Maximus

Circus

Roman Forum

Forum

Architecture and Engineering cont.

Roman Theater

(Theater)Pont du Gard

(aqueduct and bridge)

Roman Architecture and Engineering cont

Apartment Block

(housing for middle class)

House of the Vettii

(Upper class Villa)

Romans invented 3 important Architectural forms

Dome

Arch

Vault

Mosaics Very popular for wealthy

Romans to decorate homes

Tesserae: colored stone or marble

So detailed they looked like paintings

Detail from Roman Mosaic

Monument sculpture Some were in the form of a triumphal arch –

part architecture, part sculpture. Officials commissioned them to celebrate a victory and parade troops, captives, and plunder through.

Recorded Historical events through words and relief sculpture

Served as political propaganda

Examples of Monumental Sculpture

Arch of Titus Column of Trajan

A change in Roman art style… During the reign of Diocletian (284-305CE)

art took on a new appearance. Though still depicting real events, it appeared simplified and abstracted.