Rome+Xian

By PenaGabe
  • Period: 509 BCE to 28 BCE

    Roman Republic

    Some of the major characteristics of the Roman Republic Period included verism (art of elders, old meaning wise and prepared) with an emphasis on ancestry and practical engineering.
  • Temple of Mercury (aka Temple of Echo), 1 century BCE, Frigidarium, Opus Caementicium (Hydraulic Concrete), 71 ft dome. Gulf of Naples, Italy Opus Caementicium Hydraulic Cement (Roman Republic)
    100 BCE

    Temple of Mercury (aka Temple of Echo), 1 century BCE, Frigidarium, Opus Caementicium (Hydraulic Concrete), 71 ft dome. Gulf of Naples, Italy Opus Caementicium Hydraulic Cement (Roman Republic)

    The dome's impressive and advanced structure has lead it to being the one of the oldest domes left standing. Its dome is built off of a drum which is held together by buttress. During this period lots of technical advancements were made such as roads which helped push civilization further.
  • Head of a Roman Patrician from Otricoli, c. 75–50 BCE, marble (Palazzo Torlonia, Rome, photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)(Roman Republic)
    75 BCE

    Head of a Roman Patrician from Otricoli, c. 75–50 BCE, marble (Palazzo Torlonia, Rome, photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)(Roman Republic)

    The portrait itself of who it depicts is unknown. However, what we do know is that it depicts an aristocrat with an emphasis on his age with its highly detailed facial features. During this period age meant wisdom which was sought out for strong leadership. This style is known as verism which sought out to be truthful about a individuals appearance.
  • Period: 27 BCE to 300

    Early Imperial Art

    Much of the art during this period was used for political propaganda with more advancements to engineering with arches and concrete.
  • Augustus of Primaporta, 1st century C.E., marble, 2.03 meters high (Vatican Museums) (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)(Early Imperial Art)
    100

    Augustus of Primaporta, 1st century C.E., marble, 2.03 meters high (Vatican Museums) (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)(Early Imperial Art)

    This statue of Augustus was used as propaganda depicting him as divine with the divine right to rule. Much art during this period was mostly propaganda to aid conquest and leadership. This statue uses a cupid and has him barefoot to signify his divine connection.
  • Triumphal Arch of Septimius Severus, 203 C.E., marble above a travertine base, roughly 23 x 25 m, Roman Forum, (Early Imperial Art)
    203

    Triumphal Arch of Septimius Severus, 203 C.E., marble above a travertine base, roughly 23 x 25 m, Roman Forum, (Early Imperial Art)

    Many arches were built around this time period which also served as propaganda or exaggeration on real events to make leaders look strong and powerful. This arch depicts the battles of cities that were conquered by Septimius Severus in order to emphasize his victory over his enemies and display his strength as a celebration.
  • Period: 240 to 500

    Early Christian Art

    There was a heavy emphasis on symbolism and narratives rather than idealism. After Constantine Churches became public buildings.
  • Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, late 2nd century – 4th century C.E. (Early Christian Art)
    300

    Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, late 2nd century – 4th century C.E. (Early Christian Art)

    This painting depicts the good shepherd as Jesus Christ. This depiction has him as a young beardless man centered with symmetrically placed animals and objects which can symbolize divinity and order with it's orderly format.
  • Period: 300 to 315

    Late Imperial Art

    Art during this period began to become abstracted with more ridged figures. This change led to the art being much more symbolic. Less realism was used and iconic features took its place.
  • Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs, c. 305 (Constantinople), porphyry, 4 feet 3 inches high (Saint Marks, Venice)(Late Imperial Art)
    305

    Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs, c. 305 (Constantinople), porphyry, 4 feet 3 inches high (Saint Marks, Venice)(Late Imperial Art)

    With the major shift away from realism abstracted and symbolic art took over during this period as shown with these four tetrarchs. The four of them are nearly identical which symbolizes their equality as they all shared the same amount of power and ruled over 4 different areas of Rome. Rather than having idealized bodies they have simple and abstracted ones with features that symbolize wisdom such as the beards and clothing.
  • Colossus of Constantine, c. 312–15 C.E. (Palazzo dei Conservatori, Musei Capitolini, Rome) (Late Imperial art)
    312

    Colossus of Constantine, c. 312–15 C.E. (Palazzo dei Conservatori, Musei Capitolini, Rome) (Late Imperial art)

    The giant statue does not contain realistic features as this period shifts to a symbolic and abstracted style. The size itself is meant to symbolize his power when Constantine was ruler. Despite the damage it appears as if he would have had a finger pointed up to the sky signifying his leadership and divine right to rule. The size would reach all and emphasize his presence and legacy.
  • Plaster cast copy of Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, original is 359 C.E., marble (Treasury, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, (Early Christian Art)
    359

    Plaster cast copy of Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, original is 359 C.E., marble (Treasury, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, (Early Christian Art)

    Before Constantine had made Christianity legal Jesus was never really shown in the center of artworks. This time period began the rise in artwork depicting Christianity and Jesus Christ as the center focus.