Roman Art through Early Christian Art

Roman Art through Early Christian Art

Period: 509 BCE to 499

Roman art changed over time as Roman society itself changed. During the Republic, artists focused on realism and civic values especially in portraits that showed age, experience, and virtue. In the Imperial period, art shifted again as Rome faced major political and social changes. Figures became more symbolic and less realistic, showing more authority and divine rule. Early Christian artists used Roman styles and building types, but gave them new meanings.

Signed by Zeuxis as sculptor, Roman, Marble statue of a draped seated man, 1st century BCE, Marble, Pentelic, H. 51 1/2 in. (130.8 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Late Republic

100 BCE

A seated poet, which was originally shown playing a kithara, Though the head is missing, which reflects the Greek tradition of portraying the full body in portraiture. The sculptor Zeuxis signed the piece, . On the front of the seat, above the left foot Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Marble statue of a draped seated man.” metmuseum.org, The Met, 1 October 2000, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/248141. Accessed 4 November 2025.

Roman, Tableware from the Tivoli Hoard, mid-1st century BCE, Silver, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Late Republican

50 BCE

two decorated skyphoi (wine cups), a ladle, a trulla (spouted pitcher), and several spoons, form a hoard said to be from Tivoli. There are written text on the cups that says "Sattia, daughter of Lucius." Its said that this tableware were likely buried as a result of the civil wars happening in Rome. Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Tableware from the Tivoli Hoard.” metmuseum.org, The Met, 1 October 2000, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/698174. Accessed 4 November 2025.

Roman,Cubiculum (bedroom) from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale,ca. 50–40 BCE, Fresco,8 ft. 8 1/2 in. × 10 ft. 11 1/2 in. × 19 ft. 1 7/8 in. (265.4 × 334 × 583.9 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Late Republic

50 BCE

This painted room features detailed architectural landscapes, including rocky terrain, courtyards, and townscapes, which creates an illusion of depth and open space beyond the walls. At the center, a parapet with a fruit filled glass bowl and a small figure of Hekate Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Cubiculum (bedroom) from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale.” metmuseum.org, The Met, 1 October 2000, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/247017. Accessed 4 November 2025.

Roman, Two marble portrait heads from a relief, ca. 13 BCE–5 CE, Marble, H. 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Early Imperial, Augustan period

13 BCE

A marble portrait head distinguish by their smooth features and fashionable hairstyles. Probably a refined Augustan classicism. This is one of the two heads which is said to be a mother and daughter which are from a funerary relief Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Two marble portrait heads from a relief.” metmuseum.org, The Met, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/250681. Accessed 4 November 2025.

Roman, Marble cinerary urn with lid, ca. 10 BCE–10 CE, Marble, H. 9 11/16 in. (24.6 cm) diameter 12 7/16 in. (31.6 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Early Imperial

10 BCE

This is a marble imitations of wicker baskets that were used for cinerary urns which were popular in Rome. They were frequently included in women’s burials, representing the weaving basket the deceased once used. Weaving was considered a proper and virtuous activity for a Roman matron, Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Marble cinerary urn with lid.” metmuseum.org, The Met, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/253553. Accessed 4 November 2025.

Roman, Marble statue of an old woman, 14–68 CE, Marble, Pentelic, H. 49 5/8 in. (125.98 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian

14

An aged courtesan bringing offerings to a festival of Dionysos, wearing fine clothing and ivy wreath. It shows the interest in realistic portrayals of age and everyday figures from society. The basket she's holding with fruit and the two chickens are likely to be a dedicatory gifts to the god Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Marble statue of an old woman.” metmuseum.org, The Met, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/248132. Accessed 4 November 2025.

Roman, Lead-glazed stemmed cup, 3rd century CE, Terracotta; lead-glazed ware, H. 3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm); diameter 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Late Imperial

201

A footed handled cup is characteristic of the glazed pottery made in the Rhône Valley in Gaul, known today as France. This footed handled cup made during the late imperial period. Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Lead-glazed stemmed cup.” metmuseum.org, The Met, 14 November 2020, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/250110. Accessed 4 November 2025.

Roman, Syrian, Gold triple-finger ring, 3rd–4th century CE, Gold, glass, length 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Late Imperial or Late Antique

203

This Gold triple-finger ring represents a bold style of jewelry favored in the eastern Roman Empire. Its three joined bands hold five colorful settings with pearls and glass imitation gems, and the central green bead which is a modern replacement. Department of Greek and Roman Art. “Gold triple-finger ring.” metmuseum.org, The Met, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/257579. Accessed 5 November 2025.

Roman, Santa Maria Antiqua Sarcophagus, c. 270 C.E, Carved white-veined marble. 203 1/4 x 86 inches, under the church of Santa Maria Antiqua, Rome, Early Christian

275

Uses biblical scenes like Jonah and the Good Shepherd to express hope in resurrection and life after death. The imagery blends classical Roman styles with Christian symbolism, showing how new visual traditions were developing in secret. Farber, Allen. “Santa Maria Antiqua Sarcophagus.” smarthistory.org, smarthistory, 8 August 2015, https://smarthistory.org/santa-maria-antiqua-sarcophagus/. Accessed 5 November 2025.

Roman, Jonah Under the Gourd Vine. 280–90 CE, Marble, Overall: 32.3 x 46.3 x 18 cm (12 11/16 x 18 1/4 x 7 1/16 in.), Cleveland Museum of Art, Early Christian

280

The story of Jonah, an Old Testament prophet who was swallowed by a sea creature after defying God’s command to proclaim judgment on the city of Nineveh. After receiving a second chance, he fled the city and rested in a large gourd vine. Which made God wither the vine, exposing Jonah to the burning sun.
Cleveland Museum of Art's. “Jonah Under the Gourd Vin.” clevelandart.org, The Cleveland Museum of Art, 23 January 2019, https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1965.239. Accessed 5 November 2025.

Roman, Terracotta coin molds, ca. 308–320 CE, Terracotta, H.: 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)(average), The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Late Imperial, Tetrarchic

308

Roman coins were struck, not cast so these molds were created to make forgeries of low-value bronze nummi. This coins were likely created to overcome coin shortages that was happening back then. This was seen as a form of deception and profiteering which made this practice become highly illegal by the imperial authorities metmuseum. “Terracotta coin molds.” metmuseum.org, The Met, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254990. Accessed 5 November 2025.

Roman, Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, 359 C.E, marble, 8 x 6 x 5 feet, Museum of the Treasury of the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, Early Christian

359

Reflection of an early moment when Christian imagery was still emerging from Roman artistic traditions. It shows detailed biblical scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. The carving highlights Bassus’s elite status and his conversion to Christianity. Farber, Allen. “Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus.” smarthistory.org, Smarthistory, 16 August 2023, https://smarthistory.org/sarcophagus-of-junius-bassus/. Accessed 5 November 2025.