Roman Art Essay

There are numerous sources of information on Roman art

You can read about the works of Hadrian, St. Augustine, or Silenoi, or you can look at images of portraiture. You can also learn about other great figures of Roman art, such as the philosophers, orators, and writers. All of these sources are invaluable for gaining a deeper understanding of the world of ancient Rome.

Portraiture

Portraiture in Roman art reflects the changing character of the Roman empire. During the 1st century CE, the emperors Claudius and Nero were depicted in portraits. The emperors’ portraits strove for more realism. Famous artists of the period included Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Portraiture in Roman art developed from the practice of wax death masks. The tradition led to realistic portrait sculpture in later times. Early artists sculpted heads, later the bust, and finally the entire body. One example of this type of portraiture is the emperor Augustus, who has been posed as a Greek and acts as a Roman while speaking to his troops.

Silenoi

The Silennoi are mythological creatures depicted in ancient Roman art. These woodland spirits were associated with the god of wine, Dionysus, and were often depicted as old, bearded men. They are often portrayed in bronze and stone, often with their legs apart and one leg slightly advanced. They are usually accompanied by a vase or cup. Their presence in art hints at the connection between the god of wine and the arts, including wine, dance, and music.

The mosaic depicts an historical scene

It is painted in four superimposed sections. The figures depicted include a large warrior wearing an oval buckler and a man in a short tunic. Other figures include smaller soldiers and an armed man. A battle scene appears in the lower zone, with the warrior with an oval buckler larger than the others. The weapons on the figures suggest that the Samnites were involved.

St. Augustine

The relationship between St. Augustine and the Roman art world has many layers. Ultimately, Augustine’s writings on art and the world of religion show how the two are intertwined. Roman art was influenced by the early Christian church, and Augustine used it as a model for his own works. In Confessiones 9.37, Augustine compared his mother to the church. The two women are very similar, in that both represent a way of life based on Christian morality and a philosophic way of life.

Augustine began his work with a sketch of his ethics and theology. Theologically, he posited the idea of love as the criterion for exegesis. The words of the Bible, he argued, were merely external signs that are intended to inspire inward phenomena of love. While God is beyond language, external signs exist at a lower ontological level than intelligible truth. True knowledge, by contrast, is not based on words, but on the experience of the world.

Hadrian

Several paintings depict Hadrian, the Roman emperor. These works, which are scattered throughout the Empire, convey the complex character of this emperor. Hadrian was an ardent patron of the arts, and his reign was marked by several major building projects. In addition to completing the Pantheon, Hadrian also built the magnificent Temple of Venus and Roma.

A cultural Hellenophile, Hadrian was familiar with the work of the Greek philosophers and took care to meet the social needs of his people at home. In his later years, he tried to reduce the suffering of slavery, and made sure slave masters could not kill their slaves or sell them to procurers and gladiators. In addition, Hadrian sought to humanize the legal code, forbidding the torture of free witnesses. He also ordered the abolishment of private prisons for slaves, known as ergastula.

Column of Marcus Aurelius

The Column of Marcus Aurelius is a significant example of Roman art. Originally, the statue of the Roman emperor stood on top of the column. This was replaced by a statue of the apostle Paul. In addition to the statue of Marcus Aurelius, the column contains reliefs of the apostle Paul and other Roman gods. The base of the column contains an inscription naming the emperors.

The Column of Marcus Aurelius was built in 193 C.E. to commemorate the Roman emperor’s victories against the northern barbarians. It was inspired by Trajan’s Column, and was commissioned by the Emperor Commodus. It is made up of twenty-eight hollow Carrara marble blocks, with the carvings done in a spiral pattern. Each carving represents a different campaign of Marcus Aurelius, which was fought in northern territories. The first campaign shows the soldiers crossing the Danube, while the second battle depicts them overcoming the Sarmatians.

Column of Diocletian

The Column of Diocletian in Roman Art is a striking example of early imperial architecture. Its shape is reminiscent of a human figure and is the most prominent monument in the city. This ancient Roman structure was built during the reign of Ptolemy II, 117-180 CE, and its topmost part was the tomb of Trajan, who died on his way home from a foreign campaign. The column was erected in honor of his victories over the Germanic Tribes.

The column’s base is beautifully worked, and features processional scenes, sacrificial scenes, and a date-bearing shield. The reliefs show people dancing and holding arms and shields, and the base of the column is deeply grooved.