Kavita Sinha and Emily Presseller Roman Art and architecture

ART

First copied Etruscan art style Began using own style around 500 BC Copied the Greeks after conquering them Italian/Egyptian influence as well

First, art was purely representational Portraits detailed/not abstract Later, tried to use art as propaganda Used poses and subjects to help convey messages Artwork based on battles painted realistically Greeks used mythology in their battle paintings Portrayed animals, still life, everyday life, mythology

FRESCOES Wall paintings on wet plaster When dry, paintings seemed to become part of the wall Process Surface completely smooth Dampened Color applied Given shiny finish (oil) Frescoes often used bright colors Helped make rooms appear less claustrophobic

MOSAICS Patterns produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard material Needed many types of stone or glass to create a mosaic Very detailed Portrayed gods, rulers, everyday tasks Long process First started by using small pebbles Later cut and used small ceramic squares

STATUES Early statues made from clay Clay fired/painted Learned this from Etruscans Copied Greeks Started using marble and metal Bronze statues Molded from wax Closed in clay mantle Bronze poured in to melt wax/fill mold Were realistic Thought realistic statues helped a person’s immortality

Romans cared how their houses looked on the interior Noblemen filled rooms with fine art Amount of art and its quality, showed wealth Many of the baths contained pieces of art Statues were openly displayed in public places

A lot of Roman Art can today be seen in museums National Museum of Roman Art Mérida, Spain Themes of Roman Art Portraying people realistically Painting everyday life and still life Often painted war scenes

ARCHITECTURE

Characteristics Often used arches Columns used for decorations Normally used concrete Marble used inside Domes popular as well Influence Etruscans and Italians Primarily by Greeks When Rome had power, they created their own Materials Mud bricks Hard limestone Marble Terra-cotta Stone/cement

Circus Maximus Chariot racing stadium First/Largest stadium in Rome Held 150,000 spectators Pantheon Temple to all gods of ancient Rome Has columns and pediments Central opening (oculus) to sky Colosseum Amphitheatre in center of Rome Largest in Rome Holds 50,000 spectators

ROMAN TEMPLES Based on symmetry and proportions Characteristics of temples… Raised on a podium Have a front staircase Attached columns along sides Temples normally built in public squares

ROMAN BRIDGES Built with stone Arch was the basic structure Most arches were semi-circles Others were segmental Allowed flood water to pass under ROMAN AQUEDUCTS Supplied drinking and bathing water Emptied water into sewers Size and length of aqueducts had to be carefully measured Underground aqueducts helped ensure clean water

Vitruvius Wrote important books on architecture and construction techniques, which we still have today Frontinus Wrote in detail about the workings of the aqueduct system. Also left behind work concerning war machinery Hadrian Is said to be the mind behind the creation of the Pantheon. Was a lover of architecture.

INFLUENCE IN HISTORY Roman architecture is seen in America today Courthouses Raised on a podium Have a formal front staircase Supreme Court Free-standing columns White marble

COMPARISON TO TODAY Washington Square Arch Takes some of its style from Roman Triumphal Arches Washington Monument Based on Column of Trajan

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