The arts Roman Empire

1 arts

1.1 portraiture
1.2 sculpture

1.2.1 sarcophagi


1.3 painting
1.4 mosaic
1.5 decorative arts
1.6 performing arts

the arts


the wedding of zephyrus , chloris (54–68 ad, pompeian fourth style) within painted architectural panels casa del naviglio

people visiting or living in rome or cities throughout empire have seen art in range of styles , media on daily basis. public or official art—including sculpture, monuments such victory columns or triumphal arches, , iconography on coins—is analysed historical significance or expression of imperial ideology. @ imperial public baths, person of humble means view wall paintings, mosaics, statues, , interior decoration of high quality. in private sphere, objects made religious dedications, funerary commemoration, domestic use, , commerce can show varying degrees of aesthetic quality , artistic skill. wealthy person might advertise appreciation of culture through painting, sculpture, , decorative arts @ home—though efforts strike modern viewers , ancient connoisseurs strenuous rather tasteful. greek art had profound influence on roman tradition, , of famous examples of greek statues known roman imperial versions , occasional description in greek or latin literary source.

despite high value placed on works of art, famous artists of low social status among greeks , romans, regarded artists, artisans, , craftsmen alike manual labourers. @ same time, level of skill required produce quality work recognized, , considered divine gift.

portraiture

portraiture, survives in medium of sculpture, copious form of imperial art. portraits during augustan period utilize youthful , classical proportions, evolving later mixture of realism , idealism. republican portraits had been characterized warts , verism, 2nd century bc, greek convention of heroic nudity adopted portraying conquering generals. imperial portrait sculptures may model head mature, craggy, atop nude or seminude body smooth , youthful perfect musculature; portrait head might added body created purpose. clothed in toga or military regalia, body communicates rank or sphere of activity, not characteristics of individual.

women of emperor s family depicted dressed goddesses or divine personifications such pax ( peace ). portraiture in painting represented fayum mummy portraits, evoke egyptian , roman traditions of commemorating dead realistic painting techniques of empire. marble portrait sculpture have been painted, , while traces of paint have survived centuries, fayum portraits indicate why ancient literary sources marvelled @ how lifelike artistic representations be.

the bronze drunken satyr, excavated @ herculaneum , exhibited in 18th century, inspired interest among later sculptors in similar carefree subjects


sculpture

examples of roman sculpture survive abundantly, though in damaged or fragmentary condition, including freestanding statues , statuettes in marble, bronze , terracotta, , reliefs public buildings, temples, , monuments such ara pacis, trajan s column, , arch of titus. niches in amphitheatres such colosseum filled statues, , no formal garden complete without statuary.

temples housed cult images of deities, famed sculptors. religiosity of romans encouraged production of decorated altars, small representations of deities household shrine or votive offerings, , other pieces dedicating @ temples. divine , mythological figures given secular, humorous, , obscene depictions.

on ludovisi sarcophagus, example of battle scenes favoured during crisis of third century, writhing , highly emotive romans , goths fill surface in packed, anti-classical composition


sarcophagi

elaborately carved marble , limestone sarcophagi characteristic of 2nd 4th centuries @ least 10,000 examples surviving. although mythological scenes have been studied, sarcophagus relief has been called richest single source of roman iconography, , may depict deceased s occupation or life course, military scenes, , other subject matter. same workshops produced sarcophagi jewish or christian imagery.

the primavera of stabiae, perhaps goddess flora


painting

much of known of roman painting based on interior decoration of private homes, particularly preserved @ pompeii , herculaneum eruption of vesuvius in 79 ad. in addition decorative borders , panels geometric or vegetative motifs, wall painting depicts scenes mythology , theatre, landscapes , gardens, recreation , spectacles, work , everyday life, , frank pornography. birds, animals, , marine life depicted careful attention realistic detail.

a unique source jewish figurative painting under empire dura-europos synagogue, dubbed pompeii of syrian desert, buried , preserved in mid-3rd century after city destroyed persians.

mosaic


the triumph of neptune floor mosaic africa proconsularis (present-day tunisia), celebrating agricultural success allegories of seasons, vegetation, workers , animals viewable multiple perspectives in room (latter 2nd century)

mosaics among enduring of roman decorative arts, , found on surfaces of floors , other architectural features such walls, vaulted ceilings, , columns. common form tessellated mosaic, formed uniform pieces (tesserae) of materials such stone , glass. mosaics crafted on site, assembled , shipped ready-made panels. mosaic workshop led master artist (pictor) worked 2 grades of assistants.

figurative mosaics share many themes painting, , in cases portray subject matter in identical compositions. although geometric patterns , mythological scenes occur throughout empire, regional preferences find expression. in north africa, particularly rich source of mosaics, homeowners chose scenes of life on estates, hunting, agriculture, , local wildlife. plentiful , major examples of roman mosaics come present-day turkey, italy, southern france, spain, , portugal. more 300 antioch mosaics 3rd century known.

opus sectile related technique in flat stone, coloured marble, cut precisely shapes geometric or figurative patterns formed. more difficult technique highly prized, , became popular luxury surfaces in 4th century, abundant example of basilica of junius bassus.

decorative arts

decorative arts luxury consumers included fine pottery, silver , bronze vessels , implements, , glassware. manufacture of pottery in wide range of quality important trade , employment, glass , metalworking industries. imports stimulated new regional centres of production. southern gaul became leading producer of finer red-gloss pottery (terra sigillata) major item of trade in 1st-century europe. glassblowing regarded romans originating in syria in 1st century bc, , 3rd century egypt , rhineland had become noted fine glass.

performing arts

in roman tradition, borrowed greeks, literary theatre performed all-male troupes used face masks exaggerated facial expressions allowed audiences see how character feeling. such masks specific particular role, , actor play multiple roles merely switching masks. female roles played men in drag (travesti). roman literary theatre tradition particularly represented in latin literature tragedies of seneca. circumstances under seneca s tragedies performed unclear; scholarly conjectures range minimally staged readings full production pageants. more popular literary theatre genre-defying mimus theatre, featured scripted scenarios free improvisation, risqué language , jokes, sex scenes, action sequences, , political satire, along dance numbers, juggling, acrobatics, tightrope walking, striptease, , dancing bears. unlike literary theatre, mimus played without masks, , encouraged stylistic realism in acting. female roles performed women, not men. mimus related genre called pantomimus, form of story ballet contained no spoken dialogue. pantomimus combined expressive dancing, instrumental music , sung libretto, mythological, either tragic or comic.

all-male theatrical troupe preparing masked performance, on mosaic house of tragic poet

although regarded foreign elements in roman culture, music , dance had existed in rome earliest times. music customary @ funerals, , tibia (greek aulos), woodwind instrument, played @ sacrifices ward off ill influences. song (carmen) integral part of every social occasion. secular ode of horace, commissioned augustus, performed publicly in 17 bc mixed children s choir. music thought reflect orderliness of cosmos, , associated particularly mathematics , knowledge.

various woodwinds , brass instruments played, stringed instruments such cithara, , percussion. cornu, long tubular metal wind instrument curved around musician s body, used military signals , on parade. these instruments found in parts of empire did not originate, , indicate music among aspects of roman culture spread throughout provinces. instruments depicted in roman art.

the hydraulic pipe organ (hydraulis) 1 of significant technical , musical achievements of antiquity , , accompanied gladiator games , events in amphitheatre, stage performances. among instruments emperor nero played.

although forms of dance disapproved of @ times non-roman or unmanly, dancing embedded in religious rituals of archaic rome, such of dancing armed salian priests , of arval brothers, priesthoods underwent revival during principate. ecstatic dancing feature of international mystery religions, particularly cult of cybele practised eunuch priests galli , of isis. in secular realm, dancing girls syria , cadiz extremely popular.

like gladiators, entertainers infames in eyes of law, little better slaves if technically free. stars , however, enjoy considerable wealth , celebrity, , mingled socially , sexually upper classes, including emperors. performers supported each other forming guilds, , several memorials members of theatre community survive. theatre , dance condemned christian polemicists in later empire, , christians integrated dance traditions , music worship practices regarded church fathers shockingly pagan. st. augustine supposed have said bringing clowns, actors, , dancers house inviting in gang of unclean spirits.

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