8.2 Depictions of romantic and sexual relationships in ancient art

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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Top images from around the web for Symbolic objects and settings

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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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  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 (Cupid)
• 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 (erotic frescoes in Pompeii)

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 (Sappho 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 (Ancient Near East) or religious rites (Ancient Egypt)
• 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 power imbalances between lovers were often highlighted in erotic art
• Unequal pairings were common, especially between deities and mortals (Zeus and Leda), masters and slaves, or clients and sex workers (hetaera)
• 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 (Achilles and Briseis)
• Stories of gods forcing themselves on mortals were common subjects (Dionysus and Ariadne)