2.4 Roman Art: Portraiture, Wall Painting, and Engineering

Roman art blended Greek and Etruscan influences, creating a unique style. From realistic portraiture to vibrant wall paintings, Romans used art to document individuals, convey status, and preserve legacies.

Roman engineering revolutionized architecture with innovations like concrete, arches, and domes. These advancements enabled the construction of iconic structures like the Pantheon, Colosseum, and aqueducts, showcasing Roman ingenuity and power.

Roman Art: Influences and Styles

Greek and Etruscan influence on Roman art

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• Greek influence seen in idealized human forms, contrapposto stance (weight shifted to one leg), naturalistic rendering, and mythological themes (gods and heroes)
• Etruscan influence evident in realistic portraiture, terracotta sculptures, sarcophagi with reclining figures, and vibrant wall paintings depicting daily life and religious scenes

Roman Portraiture and Wall Painting

Development of Roman portraiture

• Republican period characterized by veristic style which includes realistic, warts-and-all depictions emphasizing age, experience, and character (wrinkles, scars)
• Imperial period marked by idealized portraits of emperors serving propagandistic purposes and portraying power, authority, and divine status (Augustus of Prima Porta)
• Portraiture significant for documenting individuals and family lineages, conveying social status and political power, and preserving memory and legacy

Wall painting in Roman spaces

• Domestic spaces featured decorative frescoes in villas and houses following Four Pompeian styles:
  1. First Style: imitation of marble and masonry
  2. Second Style: illusionistic architectural scenes creating depth
  3. Third Style: ornamental and delicate designs with Egyptian motifs
  4. Fourth Style: combination of previous styles with theatrical elements
• Public spaces like temples, baths, and public buildings displayed frescoes depicting mythological and historical scenes serving instructive and propagandistic purposes (Pompeii's Villa of the Mysteries)
• Fresco technique involved painting on damp plaster allowing for vibrant colors, shading, perspective, and depth

Roman Engineering and Architecture

Roman engineering and architectural innovations

• Concrete, a mixture of lime, water, sand, and volcanic ash (pozzolana), enabled construction of large-scale structures that were durable and versatile
• Arches, semicircular structures that distribute weight evenly, used in aqueducts, bridges, and triumphal arches (Arch of Constantine)
• Domes, hemispherical structures that enabled construction of vast interior spaces, used in temples, public baths, and palaces (Hadrian's Villa)
• Significant examples showcasing Roman engineering:
  1. Pantheon: largest unreinforced concrete dome spanning 43 meters
  2. Colosseum: amphitheater with complex system of arches and vaults
  3. Aqueducts: extensive water supply systems spanning hundreds of kilometers (Pont du Gard)
  4. Basilicas: large public buildings for legal and commercial purposes with central nave and aisles (Basilica of Maxentius)