Roman Art Final

Hadrianic Period

117 - 138 CE

Portrait of Hadrian

C. AD 130, Bronze, Tel Shalem, Israel

Breastplate of Hadrian

Final scene of the Aeneid where Aeneas and Turnus fight for Lavinia

Style of Hadrian's Portrait

Stock breastplate with head of Hadrian added, longer curled hair and beard

Material of Hadrian's Portrait

Bronze, rare because most were melted down to make weapons

Findspot of Hadrian's Portrait

Camp of 6th Roman legion, stationed in Tel Shalem during Bar Kochba revolt

Veiled Bust of Sabina

AD 136-138, Marble, Maritime Baths, Ostia

Subject Matter of Veiled Bust of Sabina

Veiled head in a religious context as a priestess

Style of Veiled Bust of Sabina

Classical style with smooth, youthful features and curly hair

Material of Veiled Bust of Sabina

Marble

Pantheon

After AD 126, Marble, brick, concrete, Rome

Inscription on Pantheon

Inscribed with 'M. Agrippa son of Lucius, consul 3 times, made this'

Style of Pantheon

Very well dated with stamped bricks, octastyle with 8 columns at front

Material of Pantheon

Aggregate material (concrete with pumice), oculus in bronze sheathing

Findspot/Function of Pantheon

Converted into a church in 609, sanctuary to all gods

Hadrian's Villa, Canopus

C. AD 135, Marble, brick, concrete, Tivoli

Subject Matter of Hadrian's Villa

Massive collection of semi-connected buildings over ½ sq mile

Style of Hadrian's Villa

Working Roman court with painted poikile and pumpkin domes

Findspot/Function of Hadrian's Villa

Living quarters, libraries, theaters, fountains, baths

Canopus

A long pool with a building at one end and a curved end

Style of Canopus

Free standing colonnade with arcuated lintels and copies of Greek statues

Hadrianic Hunting Roundels

C. AD 130-138, Marble, reused on Arch of Constantine, Rome

Subject Matter of Hunting Roundels

Shows Hadrian hunting a wild boar with Antinous in the background

Calydonian Boar Hunt - Relief Panel

AD 117-138, Marble, Amphitheater, Capua

Subject Matter of Calydonian Boar Hunt

Mythological hunt with Atalanta and Meleager rescuing the community

Findspot/Function of Calydonian Boar Hunt

Found in the interior of the amphitheater, reflects real fights

Black and White Mosaic

C.

Baths of the Cart Drivers

Reflects the happenings of the bath house with aquatic imagery and athletic men.

Mosaic Material

Made of tesserae; smaller tesserae allow for finer control over shading.

Antonine Period

Period marked by increasing interest in native Italic style and emphasis on pattern.

Portrait of Antoninus Pius

C. 138-140 CE, marble sculpture with a very oval face and deep drilling.

Apotheosis of Antoninus and Faustina

Depicts Antoninus Pius being deified with military and mythological themes.

Base of the Column of Antoninus Pius

Monolithic granite monument with reliefs and honorary inscriptions.

Decursio

Parade scene emphasizing military strength and new vertical stacking style.

Temple of Hadrian

C. 140 CE, features an arcuated colonnade lintel and honors local deities.

Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

C. 175 CE, gilded bronze statue symbolizing military power and leadership.

Column of Marcus Aurelius

180-185 CE, marble column depicting the brutality of war and divine intervention.

Relief Panels from Lost Arches of Marcus Aurelius

Showcases qualities of the emperor, including clemency and justice.

Subject Matter of Antoninus Pius

Adopted son of Hadrian, known for a reign of peace.

Style of Antoninus Pius Portrait

Features a bearded face with a pattern of curls and smooth skin.

Material of Antoninus Pius Portrait

Sculpted from marble.

Findspot of Antoninus Pius Portrait

Found in Rome.

Military Review on Column of Antoninus Pius

Depicts military themes with a focus on honor and duty.

Function of Column of Marcus Aurelius

Commemorates German Wars along the Danube river.

Style of Column of Marcus Aurelius

Higher relief and vertical stacking with less focus on realism.

Material of Column of Marcus Aurelius

Constructed from marble.

Function of Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

Symbolizes military leadership and virtue.

Significance of Antonine Period Art

Marks a shift towards more abstract and militaristic themes in art.

Influence of Greek Style

High Classical Greek style influences the portrayal of deification.

Relief Style in Decursio

Native Italic style with vertical figures and high relief.

Findspot of Temple of Hadrian

Located in Ephesos, Turkey.

Artist/Patron of Temple of Hadrian

Dedicated by a member of local elite, possibly Publius Quintillius.

Significance of Equestrian Statue

Only complete bronze equestrian statue to survive from antiquity.

Artistic Techniques in Antonine Period

Interest in drill work and contrast between light and dark.

Clemency in Relief Panels

Depicts the forgiving nature of the emperor, emphasizing justice.

Funerary Bust of Palmyrene Woman

C. 200 AD, Limestone, Palmyra

Style of Funerary Busts

Half-length portraits, painted, with inscriptions providing names and family lineage.

Significance of Funerary Busts

Showcases wealth, profession, and provides information about the deceased.

Material of Funerary Busts

Limestone, not marble due to local availability.

Fayum Portrait of Antonine Woman

C. 160-190, Encaustic on wood, Philadelphia, Egypt.

Purpose of Fayum Portraits

Matched the deceased mummy, providing insight into appearance.

Style of Fayum Portraits

Naturalistic, ¾ view, influenced by Greek naturalism and Roman portraiture.

Material of Fayum Portraits

Panel painting, paint on cloth/plaster over wood.

Velletri Sarcophagus

135-140 AD, Marble, Velletri, Italy.

Subject Matter of Velletri Sarcophagus

12 labors of Heracles, often connected to overcoming death.

Style of Velletri Sarcophagus

Asiatic style, carved on three sides, divided into registers.

Meleager Sarcophagus

C. 180 CE, Marble, Rome.

Subject Matter of Meleager Sarcophagus

Scene of Meleager and Atalanta, popular due to Hadrian's influence on hunting.

Style of Meleager Sarcophagus

Attic style, carved on all four sides with a running frieze.

Portonaccio Sarcophagus

C. 180-190 CE, Marble, Portonaccio.

Subject Matter of Portonaccio Sarcophagus

Allegorical battle scene representing triumph over death.

Style of Portonaccio Sarcophagus

Attic style, carved on all four sides, depicting brutal battle scenes.

Portrait of Commodus

C. AD 190, Marble, Rome.

Depiction of Commodus

Portrayed as Hercules, emphasizing his self-deification.

Severan Dynasty

193-235 CE.

Portrait of Septimius Severus

C. AD 195-200, Marble from Greece, Rome.

Significance of Septimius Severus

Claims to be the adopted son of Marcus Aurelius.

Group Portrait of Septimius Severus and Family

C. AD 200, Tempora on wood, Egypt.

Significance of Group Portrait

Only surviving imperial family portrait, showcasing wealth and multiculturalism.

Geta's Removal from Portrait

His face was removed due to damnatio memoriae after being killed by Caracalla.

Material of Group Portrait

Tempora on wood, used due to lack of marble in Egypt.

Portrait of Julia Domna as Ceres

AD 203, Marble, Ostia

Subject Matter of Julia Domna as Ceres

Holding poppies; Imperial family often depicted as gods or goddesses.

Significance of Poppies in Julia Domna as Ceres

Poppies identify with Ceres; gods/goddesses have specific iconography associated with them.

Style of Julia Domna as Ceres

Mismatched face + body; Distinctive 'melon' hairstyle.

Arch of Septimius Severus

Small Frieze, AD 203, Marble, Forum Romanum, Rome.

Subject Matter of Arch of Septimius Severus

Used to be bronze sculptural group of Septimius in a quadringia flanked by his sons.

Significance of Arch of Septimius Severus

Memorializes the triumphal processions; connects Severus + Trajan.

Style of Arch of Septimius Severus

Triple bay arch; Severan baroque style.

Forma Urbis Romae/Severan Marble Plan

Detail, Theater of Pompey, c. AD 203-211, Marble, Templum Pacis, Rome.

Subject Matter of Forma Urbis Romae

Giant (60x43 ft) map of Rome; only 10% of 151 slabs remains today.

Significance of Forma Urbis Romae

Shows unmentioned + not surviving Roman buildings.

Style of Forma Urbis Romae

Distinct way of denoting types of architecture; South is facing up.

Basilica in Severan Forum

Detail, pilaster with peopled scrolls, AD 196-206, Marble, brick, concrete, Lepcis Magna, Libya.

Subject Matter of Basilica in Severan Forum

Has a temple to Severan dynasty; peopled scrolls with twisting vines.

Style of Basilica in Severan Forum

Engaged pilasters with peopled scrolls; Severan baroque style.

Quadra-Frons Arch of Septimius Severus

Concordia Augustorum Relief, AD 203, Marble, Lepcis Magna, Libya.

Subject Matter of Quadra-Frons Arch

Relief: Victories in spindrils; Septimius in quadringia with sons.

Style of Quadra-Frons Arch

4 fronts + goes over crossroads; relief in Severan baroque style.

Head of Caracalla

c. AD 206-212, Marble, Rome.