What Is Roman Art?
Roman art flourished in both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, from approximately 500 BC through 400 AD. Roman art was greatly influenced by Greek art and shows some influence of earlier Etruscan art. Much of what we know about Roman painting comes from frescoes preserved on the walls of ancient cities like Pompeii. Roman sculpture and architecture has influenced artists through the ages and their applied arts like jewelry and ceramics are held in museums around the world.
Roman Painting
Most paintings that remain from the Roman era are frescoes. These Roman painters worked directly on walls in a fresco process which involved applying pigment mixed with lime directly to the wall while it was still damp. Roman fresco artists painted windows and other architectural details as well as figurative works like portraits of family members or mythical figures. There are a few remaining examples of Roman paintings on wood. These are mostly realistic portraits in encaustic or tempura.
Roman Sculptural Portraits
Roman sculpture was heavily influenced by a long tradition of copying Greek sculptures. When sculptors began creating work that was specifically Roman, their sculptures took two different forms: busts of the head and shoulders, which were usually done in stone, and full body sculptures done in bronze or stone. Roman full body sculpture tends to be idealized, while Roman busts can be more realistic, since they were often based on wax death masks of actual subjects.
Roman Reliefs
Roman artists developed a rich tradition of carved bas-relief sculptures as celebratory depictions of historical events. Artists tried for a great deal of realism in these reliefs, with detailed depictions of Roman soldiers and their conquered enemies. Often carved in marble or stone, these works were always displayed in public and served to educate the Roman public on the triumphs of the emperor.
Roman Architecture
Accomplishments like the Coliseum and the Pantheon demonstrate the innovation and skill of Roman architects. Building on Greek elements like columns, Roman architects invented the first cement which allowed them to gain even more monumental size in their architecture. The development of bricks allowed Roman architects to build large scale roads and waterways. Roman architects also developed the use of arches and domes which allowed them to create large scale vaulted ceilings for their palaces, public baths and aqueducts.
Roman Applied Arts
Romans also created art in the form of jewelry, pottery and works in precious metal. Greek influences were also seen in the images chosen by Roman artists to decorate their work. Most vessels were made in clay with patterns taken from nature. Mythological images were also prevalent in the silver work of Roman artists. Roman jewelers used gold, gems and other precious materials to create works that incorporated design elements from Egypt and Greece.
