Roman Art

By zulmadiaz10
  • Period: 509 BCE to 27 BCE

    Roman Republic

    Characteristics:
    -Expression of Moral Authority
    -Political Function (civic duty civic pride)
    -Emphasis on virtue
    -Ancestral Commemoration
    -Architectural Innovations
    -Greek influence with Roman purpose,
    etc.
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Basilica of Santa Sabina, c.422-432 C.E.,Wood, Brick, Marble, 56 m (length) × 27 m (width) × 17 m (height), Rome, Early Christian
    422 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Basilica of Santa Sabina, c.422-432 C.E.,Wood, Brick, Marble, 56 m (length) × 27 m (width) × 17 m (height), Rome, Early Christian

    The Basilica of Santa Sabina shows early Christian art because it uses a simple Roman building style for worship. Its bright, open space and huge windows lets in lots of light symbolizing god's presence. The old Roman columns and arches were reused to fit Christian beliefs.
    Artwork Source: Dr. Allen Farber, Ancient Roman.Basilica of Santa Sabina. c.422-432 C.E. Wood, Brick, Marble. Rome, https://smarthistory.org/santa-sabina/
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, c.359 C.E., Marble, 141 cm ht, Treasury, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Early Christian
    359 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, c.359 C.E., Marble, 141 cm ht, Treasury, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Early Christian

    The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus was made for a high-ranking Roman official and shows the shift from Roman to Christian art. It reinterprets traditional Roman artistic styles to express new Christian beliefs about Christ and salvation.
    Artwork Source: Dr. Steven Zucker, Ancient Roman. The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus. c.359 C.E. Marble, Treasury, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, https://smarthistory.org/early-christian-art/?sidebar=europe-1-1000-c-e
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Arch of Constantine, c.312-315 C.E, Marble & Porphyry, 20 m high, Rome, Italy, Late Imperial
    312 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Arch of Constantine, c.312-315 C.E, Marble & Porphyry, 20 m high, Rome, Italy, Late Imperial

    The Arch of Constantine represents Late Imperial values by portraying the emperor as a divine and spiritual leader. Its formal, symbolic style emphasizes power, faith, and a shift from the earthly realism of classical Rome to the spiritual focus of the Christian Empire.
    Artwork Source:Dr. Andrew Findley, Ancient Rome. Arch of Constantine.c.312-315 C.E, Marble Porphyry, Rome, Italy, https://smarthistory.org/arch-of-constantine-rome/?sidebar=europe-1-1000-c-e
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Colossus of Constantine, c.312-15 C.E, Marble, 12 m ht, Musei Capitolini, Rome, Late Imperial
    312 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Colossus of Constantine, c.312-15 C.E, Marble, 12 m ht, Musei Capitolini, Rome, Late Imperial

    The Colossus of Constantine shows how Late Imperial art shifted from realistic to more symbolic and spiritual styles. Its massive size and idealized form highlight the emperor’s godlike power, while the calm, simplified face suggests spirituality and eternal authority.
    Artwork Source: Dr. Austen Leigh LaRocca, Ancient Roman. The Colossus of Constantine.c.312-15 C.E. Marble. Musei Capitolini, Rome,https://smarthistory.org/the-colossus-of-constantine/?sidebar=europe-1-1000-c-e
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs, c.305 C.E, Porphyry, 4'3" ht, Saint Marks, Venice, Late Imperial
    305 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs, c.305 C.E, Porphyry, 4'3" ht, Saint Marks, Venice, Late Imperial

    The Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs uses stiff poses and simple, similar faces to show Late Imperial art’s shift from realism. It emphasizes the emperors’ unity, power, and symbolic authority over individual likeness.
    Artwork Source: Dr. Steven Zucker, Ancient Roman. The Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs. c.305 C.E. Porphyry. Saint Marks, Venice, https://smarthistory.org/portraits-of-the-four-tetrarchs/
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Christ as the Good Shepherd, c. 300-350 C.E., Marble, 39" ht, Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican Museums, Rome, Early Christian
    300 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Christ as the Good Shepherd, c. 300-350 C.E., Marble, 39" ht, Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican Museums, Rome, Early Christian

    The statue of Christ as the Good Shepherd uses symbolic imagery, showing Jesus in a humble form to represent spiritual care and protection. Its calm pose, youthful face, and natural proportions reflect the influence of Greek and Roman classical art while expressing early Christian faith.
    Artwork Source: Dr. Steven Zucker,Ancient Roman.Christ as the Good Shepherd. c.300-350 C.E. Marble, Museo Pio Cristiano,Vatican Museums, Rome, https://smarthistory.org/the-good-shepherd-in-early-christianity/
  • Period: 300 BCE to 315 BCE

    Late Imperial Art

    Characteristics:
    -Emphasis on Abstraction and Symbolism
    -Hieratic and Frontal style
    -Imperial Iconography and power imagery
    -Christian themes and symbolism
    -Decline of classical naturalism
    -Mosaic and relief Art
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman,Temple of Portunus, c.120-80 BCE, travertine, tufa, and stucco, 10.5 x 19 m, Forum Boarium, Rome, Italy, Roman Republic
    120 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman,Temple of Portunus, c.120-80 BCE, travertine, tufa, and stucco, 10.5 x 19 m, Forum Boarium, Rome, Italy, Roman Republic

    The Temple of Portunus illustrates the Roman Republic Period through its blend of Greek and Etruscan influence. The temple combines Greek style columns with an Etruscan style high podium and frontal staircase. It also emphasizes Civic and Religious life.
    Artwork source citation:Dr.Steven Zucker, Ancient Roman. Temple of Portunus, c.120-80 BCE. Travertine, tufa, stucco. Forum Boarium, Rome, Italy. https://smarthistory.org/temple-of-portunus/?sidebar=europe-1000-b-c-e-1-c-e
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Bust of a Roman Patrician, c.75-50 BCE, Marble, 14" ht, Museo Torlonia, Rome, Roman Republic
    75 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Bust of a Roman Patrician, c.75-50 BCE, Marble, 14" ht, Museo Torlonia, Rome, Roman Republic

    The Bust of a Roman Patrician illustrates the ideals and social structure of the Roman Republic through its veristic realism, shown in the deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and serious expression. It indicates that he led a long life devoted to military service.
    Artwork Source Citation:Dr.Steven Zucker, Ancient Roman. Bust of a Roman Patrician. c.75-50 BCE. Marble. Museo Torlonia, Rome, https://smarthistory.org/head-of-a-roman-patrician/
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, The Colosseum, c.70-80 CE, Stone & Concrete, 157' ht. Rome, Italy, Early Imperial
    70 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, The Colosseum, c.70-80 CE, Stone & Concrete, 157' ht. Rome, Italy, Early Imperial

    The Colosseum showed off the emperor's power and generosity. It stood as a symbol of Rome's strength, unity and pride during the Early imperial period. Its huge size and and advanced design reflected the Empire's organization and impressive engineering skills, key values of the Early imperial.
    Artwork Source ID: Dr. Steven Zucker, Ancient Roman. The Colosseum. c.70-80 CE.Stone Concrete.Rome, Italy, https://smarthistory.org/the-colosseum-rome/?sidebar=europe-1000-b-c-e-1-c-e
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Room M of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor, c. 50-40 BCE, Plaster & Pigment, 8 ft. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, Roman Republic
    50 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Room M of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor, c. 50-40 BCE, Plaster & Pigment, 8 ft. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, Roman Republic

    The Room M of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor reflects the Roman Republic period through its detailed wall paintings, Greek inspired style, and the upper class Roman life and values. Artwork Source Citation: Jessica Mingoia, Ancient Roman. Room M of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor, c.50-40 BCE. Plaster Pigment. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, https://smarthistory.org/room-m-villa-publius-fannius-synistor-boscoreale/?sidebar=europe-1000-b-c-e-1-c-e
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, The Tomb of Eurysaces, c. 30-20 BCE, Stone & marble, 33' ht., Piazzale Labicano, Rome, Italy, Early Imperial
    30 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, The Tomb of Eurysaces, c. 30-20 BCE, Stone & marble, 33' ht., Piazzale Labicano, Rome, Italy, Early Imperial

    The Tomb of Eurysaces connects to the Early Imperial period by showing a shift from elite restraint to personal expression in Art, and the inclusion of new social classes within Augustus's moral and cultural vision of Rome.
    Artwork Source ID:AncientDigitalMaps,Ancient Roman. The Tomb of Eurysaces, c.30-20 BCE. Stone marble. Piazzale Labicano, Rome, Italy, https://smarthistory.org/tomb-eurysaces-baker/?sidebar=europe-1000-b-c-e-1-c-e
  • Period: 27 BCE to 96 BCE

    Early Imperial Art

    Characteristics:
    -Idealism Classicism
    -Political propaganda
    -Monumental Architecture
    -Narrative Reliefs
    -Harmony Balance
  • Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Augustus as Pontifex Maximus, c.12 BCE, Marble, 208 cm high, Via Labicana, Rome, Early Imperial
    12 BCE

    Unrecorded artist, Ancient Roman, Augustus as Pontifex Maximus, c.12 BCE, Marble, 208 cm high, Via Labicana, Rome, Early Imperial

    The Augustus as Pontifex Maximus portrait displays a chief high priest. By showing Augustus in calm, idealized form, it promotes the idea of the emperor as a peaceful, godlike restorer of Rome which are central themes of the Early Imperial period.
    Artwork Source ID:Dr.Steven Zucker, Ancient Roman.Augustus as Pontifex Maximus. c.12 BCE. Marble. Via Labicana, Rome, https://smarthistory.org/augustus-pontifex-maximus/?sidebar=europe-1000-b-c-e-1-c-e
  • Period: 240 to 500 BCE

    Early Christian Art

    Characteristics:
    -Symbolism over realism
    -Abstract, frontal figures
    -Use of Roman forms
    -Simple, didactic style
    -Salvation eternal life
    -Catacomb art