unit 5 - roman art

MAIN CHARACTERISTICSGreat builders Architecture and engineering Objective Practical and functional structures.- More important the function than the aesthetics.- Large buildings Symbol of power.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICSMaterials: stone, bricks, wood, mortar, concrete, etc.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICSElements:Semi-circular archesBarrel vaults Domes for covering large spaces.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICSElements:Composite columns (Ionic + Corinthian orders)Decoration: paintings and mosaics

TYPOLOGIESReligious: temples (rectangular or circular, with Greek influence)

* Temple of Caesar (Rome) * Temple of Concord (Rome)

* Templo romano de Vic(Barcelona, Spain)

* Temple of Bacchus (Baalbek, Lebanon)

* Maison Carrée(Nimes, France) On a podium.

*Pantheon(Rome)

2nd century AD.

Temple for all the gods.

Large dome, and front as a Greek temple.

TYPOLOGIESPolitical: Curia (meeting-house of the Roman senate)

* Curia Julia (Rome)

TYPOLOGIESEconomic: Basilicas for meetings, trials and commercial activities.

* Basilica of Maxentius

(Rome)

TYPOLOGIESLeisure activities:

Theatres Based on Greek theatres, but not on slopes

* Theatre of Palmyra(Syria)

* Teatro romano de Mérida (Mérida, Spain)

TYPOLOGIESLeisure activities:

Amphitheatres Like two theatres together.

For gladiators, animal fights and naval combats.

* Flavian Amphitheatre / Colosseo (Rome)

* Amphitheatre of Pompeii (Pompeii, Italy)

* Amphitheatre of Pula (Pula, Croatia)

TYPOLOGIESLeisure activities:

Circus For chariot racing. Based on the Greek stadia. Rectangular shape, with a curved end.

* Circus Maximus (Rome)

TYPOLOGIESLeisure activities:

Thermal baths Public baths with different rooms (caldarium, frigidarium and tepidarium). Very important for social life.

* Roman baths(Bath, United

Kingdom)

* Baths of Diocletian (Rome)

Frigidarium

TYPOLOGIESCommemorative: columns and triumphal arches. For remembering and honouring important events such as military victories.

* Trajan Forum(Rome)

* Trajan’s Column (Rome, 2nd c. AD)

* Arch of Constantine (Rome, 4th c. AD)

TYPOLOGIESPublic works: for making life easier and more comfortable.

Roads

* Via Appia

(Rome)

TYPOLOGIESPublic works: for making life easier and more comfortable.

Aqueducts For transporting water.

* Acueducto de Segovia (Segovia, Spain)

* Acueducto de los Milagros (Mérida, Spain)

TYPOLOGIESPublic works: for making life easier and more comfortable.

Bridges.

* Pont du Gard (France)

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS- Great Greek influence. - Very realistic.

Types: * Portraits: whole body, equestrian or bust.

* Historical relieves

REPUBLICRealistic

HIGH EMPIREIdealised

LOW EMPIRERigidity, less idealisation

PORTRAITS

* Augustus of Prima Porta

* Augustus Pontifex Maximus

* Marcus Aurelius

HISTORICAL RELIEVESRelevant episodes of Roman history. On commemorative monuments

* Ara Pacis

* Marcus Aurelius’s

Colum

* Trajan’s Colum

Decoration of buildings, on the walls.Polychrome.Daily scenes, mythology, imaginary landscapes, portraits, architectural features (blocks of marble, columns, windows, etc.)

Small tesserae together forming an image. Also for decoration, but on the floors. Geometric designs for mythological, floral and daily scenes.