Definition of Roman Art

Rome became an empire, and when it fell, it left behind much representative art.

At the time of Greece’s classical period, an Etruscan civilization existed in the southern Italian peninsula, and produced its own distinctive art work. By the end of the Hellenistic period, the Roman Republic had become an empire. Roman art from the first century survives today. From wall frescoes and murals to portraits and sculpture, Roman art was mainly in the Greco-Roman style until the Byzantine age in the 15th century.

Etruscan Period

Frescoes decorated tombs.

Although early Etruscan art was influenced by Greek art in the eighth century BCE, Roman art had a distinctive style of its own. Etruscan-period tomb paintings were often colorful and joyful, as depicted in the "Revellers" fresco from the Tomb of the Leopards at Tarquinia, in which men are playing the flute and lyre. Other frescoes are more somber in color and subject, such as "Mourning Women" from a tomb in Rivo di Puglia. Etruscans also produced their own pottery, known as blackware.

Hellenistic Influence

Mosaics were popular in Roman art.

The Hellenistic culture of the Greeks greatly influenced Roman art and is mentioned in Pliny’s writings. At Pompeii, the "Alexander Mosaic" of about 80 BCE from "The House of the Faun" was based on a Hellenistic painting. Roman paintings of the first century depicted a more naturalistic quality, as seen in a wall painting from Stabiae, "Young Girl Gathering Flowers," dated about 15 BCE.

Wall Paintings

Wall paintings survived the volcanic destruction of the Roman city of Pompeii.

Several wall paintings survive from the volcanic destruction of Pompeii, and they show their Greek influence. Many interior walls in Roman houses were painted for decoration, including the palaces of the Caesars on the Palatine Hill. Roman art sometimes differed from the Hellenistic style by being more concerned with factual and historical events. Some of it shows an interest in the use of space, with images of parapets and other effects creating an illusion of spatial dimension.

Portraiture

Roman coins bore images such as this one.

Wall paintings often depicted realistic portraits of people, such as the famous "Baker and His Wife" from Pompeii in the first century. Roman paintings and mosaics often illustrated a greater range of subjects and natural expression. According to Christopher Lloyd in "A Pictorial History of Art," Roman pottery, known as Arretine ware, depicted images in raised relief, and the Romans also produced medallions and coins.

Sculpture

Roman sculpture is found today in many countries.

Sculpture from the first century is still found throughout the former Roman Empire, and shows the Romans' talent for great detail. The Trajan Column in Rome, built in 113 CE, contains more than 2,500 human figures, as well as scenes from campaigns in Dacia. Figures of soldiers and builders are shown constructing walls and fortifications. Their three-dimensional appearance in raised relief eventually inspired Renaissance artists. Roman architecture, such as the Arch of Titus in the Forum, greatly influenced future periods.

References

• “Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting”; Dorling Kindersley; 1994
• “A Pictorial History of Art”; Christopher Lloyd; 1985
• “Art: A World History”; Dorling Kindersley; 1998

Resources

• Sweet Briar College, Virginia: Art History Resources
• Art-and-Archaeology: Roman Painting--Frescoes from Campania