Understanding Roman History through Art

Introduction

Understanding Roman history through art can be tricky because ancient Roman art is a big topic. It spans a thousand years and is divided into three continents. When the great Roman Republic existed, the first Roman art appeared too. It was 509 B.C.E. Roman art expanded to silver, bronze, marble, mosaic, and various other works.

During the Republican period, Romans created art to serve the state. They either celebrated military campaigns or the communal goal of the state. Also, Roman sculpture, greatly influenced by Greek art and sculpture, has become worthy of people's attention.

Roman Painting

Ancient Roman art forms are believed to be greatly influenced by Greek art forms. But various scholars have stated that Roman art forms have various other influences. For example, according to scholars, Etruscan, Italic, and Egyptian culture, also impacted Roman paintings, sculpture, and decorative art forms.

Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli (1483)

After the first art form appeared in 509 B.C.E, this is perhaps one of the most well- known paintings depicting Roman faith. Sandro Botticelli came from Florence and was a famous painter of the early Renaissance period.

This painting portrays Mars, the Roman God of war, and Venus, the Roman Goddess of love enjoying a leisure hour in the woods.

Wedding Banquet of Cupid and Psyche by Raphael (1517)

Raphael, a prominent Renaissance painter, was born in Rome. Even though he died at age thirty-seven, he left behind a pile of work to remember forever. The story of the wedding banquet is divided into two format paintings. On the right side, the painter has drawn a council of Gods where one can see Jupiter accepting Psyche. Mercury is giving the drink of morality to her. On the left side, the painter has portrayed the wedding of Cupid and Psyche.

The Feast of Venus by Peter Paul Rubens (1636)

Peter Paul Rubens, born in Siegen of the Holy Roman Empire, was famous as a feminist artist. Being the Flemish art movement's most prominent and impactful figure, he portrayed landscapes, historical paintings, and altarpieces. Rubens took his inspiration from the book: The Worship of Venus. The painting shows cherub-like children dancing in a beautiful landscape. There was a statue, and the landscape looked like Eden.

Roman Sculpture

The Orator (1st Century B.C.E)

The Orator is a man’s bronze statue famously known as Aule Metele. It originates from the Roman Empire. The statue raises his right hand to the people as if addressing them. The man Aule Metele is an Etruscan, but his outfit is like a typical Roman magistrate. That is why this sculpture represents the Etruscan's influence on the Romans. However,the last Etruscan king got expelled during the first century B.C.E. which put a stop to the Etruscan influence on the Romans.

Head of The Roman Patrician (1st Century B.C.E)

This Roman sculpture belonging to the first century B.C.E. portrays an aged man’s head with wrinkles on his face. This portrait is of a common citizen hailing from an upper- class family in Rome. It is a representation of the goals and ideals of the Roman Republic.

The Romans always cherished the idea of representing the goal of their state in human form. But, unlike the Greeks, they did not conceive the idea of representing muscular and attractive male figures symbolizing victory. Instead, they represented the wisdom a man acquires with age.

Fonseca Bust (2nd Century C.E)

The statue, Fonseca Bust, now placed in Rome's Musei Capitolini, depicts the physical appearance of a woman belonging to the upper class. They tend to be unrealistic compared to men, and the curl on the head of the statue represents the fashion of second-century Roman women. It also represents the Romans' fascination for perfect hair.

Roman Decorative Arts

The Romans adopted the idea of 'minor arts', which mostly emerged with the idea of luxury. Mainly it has four types.

Glass

Luxury 'minor art' found its best form in Roman glass. Though many were cheap and affordable, some were not. For example, glass-like Diatreta or cage cups were indeed extravagant. The Lycurgus Cup made from this is unique and beautiful. The Portland vase made of cameo glass is also a masterpiece.

Metalwork

Metalwork was a strong part of the decorative art of Roman times. It was mostly an essential part of the rich families of Rome. The Romans from rich families always preferred to eat from silver plates while using glasses for drinking. The plates and glasses show the elegant design of the metalwork.

Mosaic

Roman mosaics are also a part of 'minor art'. But the artists represented them on a large scale. Earlier, the Romans used mosaic paintings for inside or outside walls, floors and curved ceilings, but they became a great art form for the Romans. For example, the Alexander Mosaic in Naples was on the floor of Pompeii.

Coins

Roman coins also show the artistic side of the Romans. Used mainly for propaganda, the Romans used to follow the Greek style. They used various symbols, Gods' faces, Julius Caesar's faces, and even sometimes the member of the emperor's family on the coin.

Conclusion

Roman history is vast and dates back thousands of years. But looking at the various forms of the Roman empire, it is possible to understand a bit about Roman history. While the Roman paintings represent their religious mythology and faith, their sculptures represent their pride in belonging to a powerful state. On the other hand, their decorative art focused on the ordinary things of life.

FAQs

Q1. What do you understand from The Orator?

Ans. From The Orator, I understood that in the first century B.C.E, an annually elected magistrate ruled Rome, and Etruscan greatly influenced the Romans.

Q2. Are the coins a part of the 'minor arts'?

Ans. Yes. Roman coins are also a part of 'minor arts.'

Q3. Which is more famous, the Roman painting or the Roman sculpture?

Ans. Roman paintings are more famous because most Roman sculptures had no sign. After all, the Greek slaves created them. That is why they could not gain popularity.