2.   For this assessment, we need to look at the myth of Venus and art during the Roman Empire (focusing during the Imperial period).  Firstly, we need to answer three key questions about Roman art:  How do we know about Roman Art?  What do we know about Roman Art?  Why did the Romans have art? Introduction

3.   How do you think we know so much about Roman Art? …  Pompeii… How do we know…

4.   Pompeii was a Roman ‘holiday’ town, where the wealthy retreated for luxury by the sea.  In 79CE Mount Vesuvius erupted; the eruption, and the ash that fell, buried Pompeii.  The burial preserved the architecture and lives of the people that lived there. Centuries later when the site was excavated the buildings, the art, the bodies and even the food were found to have left imprints in the ash that allowed us to see and learn about this Roman way of life. Pompeii

5.  Pompeian Art

6.   What kinds of art did the Romans have?  Statues  Paintings  Mosaics What do we know…

7.   Why did the Romans have art?  Think about: why do we have art today?  Decoration, Money, Fame, Job, Inspiration, Expression…  The Romans were not too dissimilar; two key reasons for the Romans producing art as they did were:  Wealth and Culture Why…

8.   Art and culture you have already looked over – the Emperor Augustus’ revival of religion, morals and values in Rome brought with it a revival in art.  Temples and statues to honour the gods, as well as home decorations depicting the gods and heroes, as well as legends that all resonated with the Romans. Culture

9.   What wealth would the Romans have wanted/sought/shown by creating art?  Would different types of art have different values? Wealth

10.  Art was a fantastic way for Romans to display their wealth to others, and gain respect and status. It was also, of course, a way of decorating and displaying luxuries for their own delight. Statues, busts, floor mosaics and wall paintings were all ways for Roman families to make an impression on guests – “yes”, the art might say, “I belong to and have been created by wealthy patrons; gaze upon my amazingness and marvel at the grandeur of my owners”. Statues were also created as a way of honour – whether honouring ones family or the gods themselves (hence why we have many statues of Venus to look at). Wealth and Status

11.   As you would have picked up from your study of The Aeneid, the importance of Venus to Roman society was such that she was, essentially, the mother of Rome and ancestor of Rome’s great leader, Augustus.  Read the worksheet ‘Venus, Mother of Rome’ to explore the roles she took in the ancient Empire. Venus, Mother of Rome

12.   Designed by Hadrian  Began construction in AD 121  Probably dedicated in AD 135  Possibly completed by Antoninus Pius Temple of Venus and Roma

13.   The sculptural type of Venus Genetrix shows the Roman goddess Venus in her aspect of Genetrix (mother), as she was honoured by the Julio-Claudian dynasty of Rome, who followed the precedent of Julius Caesar in claiming her as their ancestor. Through this historical chance, a Roman designation is applied to an iconological type of Aphrodite that originated among the Greeks. Venus Genetrix

14.   Capitoline Venus, replica version of the Aphrodite of Cnidus  by Praxiteles. Roman artwork of the Imperial Era,  2th century AD.  Marble.  Figured amongst the Borghese Collection. Location: Louvre  An example of a " pudica " pose where a hand is used to cover  her private parts. A so called Venus Pudica, from Pudens  (being modest or ashamed). Capitoline Venus

15.  Look at the following images of Venus. For each one, think about:  How is she portrayed?  What might be the meaning of this?  What symbols or other images are used?  What overall meaning would be intended from the image?  Other thoughts..? Venus in Art

16.  Aphrodite Anadyomene, Pompeii, pre-79AD

17.   Crouching Venus with Cupid, Roman copy of Hellenistic Original, 3 rd C. BCE

18.  Venus Genetrix, Forum Julii, end of 1 st C. BCE – start of 1 st C. CE (modern resoration)

19.  Capitoline Venus, 2 nd C. CE