8.2 Depictions of romantic and sexual relationships in ancient art
4 min read•august 15, 2024
Ancient art used symbols and settings to convey romantic and sexual themes without being explicit. Flowers, fruits, and mythological figures hinted at love and desire. The level of intimacy between figures was shown through touch, eye contact, and state of dress.
Both same-sex and heterosexual relationships were depicted in ancient art, though acceptance varied between cultures. Heterosexual scenes often reinforced societal norms, while same-sex portrayals showed more equal status between figures. Cultural beliefs and social class influenced what was considered acceptable to show.
Symbolism in ancient romantic art
Symbolic objects and settings
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The Ancient Origins of the Flower Crown | Getty Iris View original
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Paintings attributed to Caravaggio - Wikipedia View original
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Women and Doves | 1981 ornamental fountain in bronze by Davi… | Flickr View original
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The Ancient Origins of the Flower Crown | Getty Iris View original
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Top images from around the web for Symbolic objects and settings
Women and Doves | 1981 ornamental fountain in bronze by Davi… | Flickr View original
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The Ancient Origins of the Flower Crown | Getty Iris View original
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Paintings attributed to Caravaggio - Wikipedia View original
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Women and Doves | 1981 ornamental fountain in bronze by Davi… | Flickr View original
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The Ancient Origins of the Flower Crown | Getty Iris View original
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Ancient artists used symbolic objects, poses, and settings to convey messages about romantic and sexual relationships without being explicit
Common symbols included specific flowers (roses), fruits (apples), animals (doves), and mythological references ()
The activities and context surrounding the figures, such as dining, drinking, bathing or reclining on furniture, often framed the encounters as romantic or erotic in nature
The settings, such as gardens or bedrooms, added symbolic meaning and set the mood for the scene
Intimacy and connection
The level of intimacy between figures was often portrayed through proximity, touch, and eye contact
Embracing, hand-holding, and gazing into each other's eyes suggested close, romantic bonds
Clothing and drapery on figures could be used to reveal or conceal the body in suggestive ways
The state of dress or undress conveyed messages about modesty, vulnerability and sexual availability (partially disrobed, transparent fabrics)
Same-sex vs heterosexual depictions
Societal norms and acceptance
Both same-sex and heterosexual couples were represented in the art of many ancient cultures, though the acceptance and meaning varied between societies
In some cultures (Ancient Greece), both were equally common and accepted, while in others (Ancient Rome), heterosexual pairings were more predominant
The perceived audiences for the pieces - whether privately or publicly displayed - may have impacted the content (same-sex scenes common on Greek symposium pottery used in all-male drinking parties)
Heterosexual portrayals
Heterosexual pairs were often used to reinforce societal norms around marriage, procreation and gender roles
Compositions often emphasized differences between the sexes (men standing, women reclining)
Scenes could range from tender, romantic couples to explicit sexual activity ()
Same-sex male depictions
In same-sex scenes between males, the figures were often portrayed as more equal in status
Men were shown engaged in activities seen as masculine like athletics, drinking, and philosophical discussions, emphasizing their similarity
Pederastic relationships between men and adolescent boys were sometimes portrayed (erastes and eromenos)
Same-sex female representations
Female same-sex relationships were less commonly portrayed overall
Depictions ranged from very subtly erotic to explicit sexual activity, sometimes in a mythological context with goddesses ( and companions)
Scenes of women bathing or dressing each other had erotic undertones (Ancient Roman frescoes)
Cultural influences on relationship art
Religion and social class
Religious beliefs and practices greatly influenced what was considered acceptable to portray
Some cultures freely celebrated eroticism and sexuality in art associated with fertility deities () or religious rites ()
Other cultures constrained explicit sexual content (later Ancient Rome)
Social class and cultural elites often drove the content of art based on their tastes and sensibilities
Different cultures had evolving attitudes about nudity, modesty and sexual propriety which is reflected in the art (Ancient Greece vs Rome)
Philosophy and politics
Philosophical views on love, desire, and the role of different sexes impacted artistic expressions
Greek philosophical ideas are reflected in their frequent portrayal of nude males as objects of beauty and desire (sculptures of athletes)
Political attitudes around sexuality had an impact, especially related to concepts of dominance, submission, and social power
The sexual availability of slaves and defeated enemies was a common erotic trope (captive women)
Pragmatic societal concerns
Pragmatic issues like promoting reproduction, controlling expression of taboo acts, and defining normalcy influenced what sexual content was permissible
Public art constrained sexual content more than private, interior spaces (erotic frescoes inside homes)
Some acts considered transgressive (adultery, incest) could be portrayed in a mythological context (Zeus's affairs) but not realistically
Gender and power in ancient portrayals
Patriarchal gender roles
In patriarchal cultures, men were often shown as the active, desiring figures while women were more passive objects of desire
Male nudity was heroic (nude public statues) while female nudity tended to be more sexualized (private erotic art)
The genders of the figures and the power relationship between them conveyed important social messages
Male/female pairings often reinforced ideas about male dominance and female passivity or availability (reclining nudes)
Power imbalances
Age, status and between lovers were often highlighted in erotic art
Unequal pairings were common, especially between deities and mortals (), masters and slaves, or clients and sex workers ()
The unequal nature of the relationship itself was an erotic element (teacher/student, conqueror/captive)
Poses and settings
The setting and poses of the figures revealed attitudes about gender roles
Men were shown in active, dominant poses (standing) and public spaces (battlefields)
Women were more often in private, domestic settings in reclining or subservient postures (lounging on beds)
Gestures like grasping wrists or leading by the arm showed male control (Hades abducting Persephone)
Sexual violence
Depictions of sexual violence, such as abduction or rape scenes, were often eroticized
Violent scenes were used to reinforce ideas about masculinity and male power over women and social inferiors
The lines between seduction and coercion could be blurred ()
Stories of gods forcing themselves on mortals were common subjects ()