Like Greece, Rome had a lasting influence on the Western
tradition of art. Roman art includes the visual arts produced in
Ancient Rome, and in the territories of the Roman empire.
Major forms of Roman art are architecture, painting, sculpture
and mosaic work. Ancient Roman buildings and other
structures combine function and beauty. They demonstrate the
Romans’ genius and skill in engineering and architecture.
Roman’s became the heirs of Greek Art.
Even though a large majority of Roman Art was copied from the Greeks, they still
made their own contributions of their own, from their differences in sculptures
to their masterful feet's in architecture. The first of many topics to be
discussed in Roman Art would be their influences on sculpture. “A desire for
lifelike portraits can be traced back to the earliest period in Rome’s history.
Many of the sculptures who worked in Rome came from Greece. These artists
worked in the Greek tradition BUT adapted that tradition to meet Roman
demand.” It is very crucial in knowing the difference between Roman and
Greek Sculptures.
The Differences between Roman Sculpture and Greek Sculpture:
Roman Sculpture
Greek Sculpture
1)
Wanted theirs to look more realistic
1) Preferred idealistic
portraits
2)
Were meant to use as private needs.
2) Were
meant for public monuments.
3)
Looked natural and lifelike
3) Were always full
body sculptures.
4)
Some were full body , but most were
4) Was
incomplete if NOT the full body.
Just the bust or the head.
5) Marble and other types of stone were used.
6) Used facial features/expressions in their sculptures.
(wrinkles, imperfections, etc.)
Roman Murals
Wealthy Roman families lived in luxurious homes with baths,
courtyards, etc. BUT they did NOT like to hang paintings on the
wall so instead they had murals painted. Murals are large pictures
painted directly on the wall.
1)
All the murals were all Frescos: which is when water based
pigments are applied directly to moist/wet plaster.
2)
Many of the murals included: Portraits, mythological themes,
landscapes, cityscapes and still lifes.
3)
Hellenistic artists influenced many of these works.
4)
Pompeii is a great example of the discovery of many of these
mural paintings.
Roman Architecture
In this chapter, Roman Architecture is going to be broken down into 7
different structures:
1) Temples
2) Aqueducts
3) Baths
4) Coliseums- Sporting event buildings
5) Pantheon- Public Structures
6) Basilicas
7) Triumphal Arches
TEMPLES
1)
2)
Temples were similar looking in
structure to the Greeks, BUT
Romans used many of their
columns as decorative reasons
along with structural support.
It’s important to take notice to
#1 in that the Romans were the
ones who discovered how to
make CONCRETE:
a) Is used in almost all Roman
structures.
b) It’s made from lime mortar,
volcanic sand, small stones and
water.
c) They learned how to mold itEx. Brick Mold
d) Because of this discovery,
the Romans were able to
created buildings/structures on
larger scales.
e) It was durable and very cheap
ROMAN AQUEDUCTS
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
These were a system that carried water from mountain
streams into cities using gravitational flow.
For these structures the Roman’s used the “arch method” for
support and efficiency NOT for beauty.
They were constructed of granite blocks without mortar or
cement.
They ranged from 10-60 miles long.
One of the most famous aqueducts created by the Romans is
the: Pont du Gard which is located in Nimes, France.
BATHS
1)
2)
3)
4)
These were vast enclosed structures that
contained libraries, lecture rooms,
gymnasiums, shops, restaurants and
pleasant walkways.
They were also known fro being social and
cultural centers.
They were places for hygiene.
They can be compared to the modern day
shopping mall.
BATHS
5)
Many baths had certain features in common. They ALL contained a
series of pools ranging in different temperatures:
a) Calidarium: Hot water pool (This was entered 1st)
b) Tepidarium: Warm water pool.
c) Frigidarium: Cool water pool (The Last room entered).
6) ALL the pools were maintained by furnaces that were located beneath the
building and were controlled by workers and slaves.
7) The most famous bath(s) were built by Emperor Carocalla. It stretched
out over 30 acres, a bathhouse that measured 750 ft. by 380 ft. and
had a huge center hall that contained
Groin Vaults: formed in the ceiling when 2 barrel vaults meet at right
angles.
8) The introduction to Groin Vaults allowed for bigger rooms and the
placement of windows.
BATHS
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Colosseum
This is the building where
chariot races and other different
athletic events took place.
This structure covers 6 acres:
it’s a complete oval, measuring
615 ft. by 510 ft.
The arches are the openings of
barrel vaults that ring the
amphitheater at each level.
Beneath the floor was where the
cages for animals were,
barracks for gladiators and the
rooms to house needed to
raise/lower the stage for sets,
etc.
Gladiator battles became big in
the 3rd century . Up to 5,000
gladiators fought and 11,000
animals killed in a single day.
Colosseum
This structure is broken down into many different levels and purposes:
A)
There were 80 arched openings at the ground level that enabled
spectators to enter and leave the stadium:
1) 76 of those arches were used for the public
2 ) 1 arch was reserved for the emperor
3) 1 arch was used by the priestesses
4) 1 was the “Door of Life” which was used by the victorious
gladiator.
5) 1 was the “Door of Death” which was where the bodies of the
slain gladiators were carried through.
B)
This structure had many tiers:
1) The 1st tier was reserved for the emperor and state officials.
2) The 2nd tier was for the upper class.
3) The upper tiers were for the general public.
http://www.history.com/topics/colosseum/vid
eos#coliseum-deconstructed
http://www.history.com/topics/colosseum/vid
eos#games-in-the-coliseum
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Pantheon
One of the greatest marvels of Roman Architecture.
It was designed as a temple dedicated to all the
Roman gods.
Even though the outside looks simple (a low, gently
curving dome resting on a cylinder) the outside has
a much bigger impact.
The DOME is made of brick and concrete, it rises 144
ft above the ground and the diameter is 144 ft as
well, the opening is 30 ft across.
There are NO windows because of all the needed
support, but the dome provided all the
lighting/illumination.
Pantheon
Pantheon
*The
1)
inside of the Pantheon had THREE zones:
Zone One: This zone was the lowest zone, which has 7
niches (are recesses in the wall)
* Each niche contains statues or altars dedicated to the
Roman gods of the heavens- Sol (sun), Luna (moon) and
gods of the 5 known planets.
2)
Zone Two: Contains the 12 signs of the zodiac.
2)
Zone Three: (Final Zone) was the actual dome which
represents the heavens. The surface of the dome is covered
in coffers (indented panels), these coffers help reduce the
weight of the dome.
Pantheon
Basilicas
It’s a functional building made to hold large numbers of
people.
2.
It was originally designed as a court of law and public
meeting hall and it was all part of a forum or public square.
3.
Almost all the Basilicas contained:
a) Nave: a long, wide center aisle.
b) Apse: a semicircular area at the end of the nave.
4. Because of the particular roof design they were able to install
windows.
5. Majority of the time during this period, wooden roofs were used.
1.
Triumphal Arches
1.
These are heavily decorated arches.
2.
After an important win in a battle or victory, Generals and
their troops would walk under the arch, while thousands
cheered them on.
3.
There are 3 arches:
a) 1 large arch in which the general passes through.
b) The other 2 arches are for the troops to pass through.
4.
The Arch of Constantine in Rome, Italy is one of the most
famous arches from this time period.
***The 5th Century was the fall of the Roman Empire.
 http://www.history.com/topics/middle-
ages/videos#the-fall-of-rome