Art history- Roman and domestic art

Portrait of Julius Caesar

• Demonstrates a mix of VERSIM and SOFT IDEALIZATION—moving away from strict republican values

• First Roman to have a portrait on a coin—breaking republican tradition.

• Shows the end of the republic

• Showing what power is in the mid-century dictator.

What was the layout of a typical Roman domus? What were the names of the rooms in the house, and what were their functions?

Grand houses with…

• Atrium-reception hall

• Cubicula: small bedrooms

• Tablinum: office room of the head of the house

• Peristyle: garden courtyard 

• Shops are attached to the front of the house. 

• Function: mix of public hospitality, business, elite display, and family.

House of the Faun, Pompeii

• Massive Domus occupying an entire city block→ wealth

• standard elite Roman house structure

• Architectural layout expressed wealth, Greek cultural education, and political power.

Alexander Mosaic from the house of the faun

• Found in house of Faun 

• Millions of small stones, extremely high quality. high skill level

• shows alexander vs. darius

• Greek cultural literacy = elite Roman status

• Demonstrates Greek influence. romans really like greek art

Describe the city of Pompeii 

• less than 20,000 people (small)

• Coastal fishing trading town

• Layout: grid-like streets, forum at the center, and temples and theaters

• public spaces- forums and temples, amphitheater

Samnite House, Herculaneum- first style wall painting in the Sammite House- Italy 

• mimics luxury marble using paint in early republican homes

• Shows a desire to have Greek marble luxury through paint 

• Reflects Roman values of wealth and display 

First style wall painting in the Samnite House

• Reflects Roman values of wealth and display 

• Pererves first-style wall painting- marble panels

• Communicates wealth and expensive materials 

• Conveys prosperity and Greek influence preserves

Room M of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor, Boscoreale—second-style paintings (bedroom):

Describe Room M of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale. What style of Roman wall paintings are preserved in the villa? What are the characteristics of this style?

• Room M preserves the Second Style wall painting.

Characteristic features:

• Architectural illusion with paint and windows, Deep perspective

• Why make a painting that looks real? The goal: to “break the wall” → expand interior space

• Expensive imaginary

• Painted columns, windows, landscapes—art on walls to make room later

• Demonstrates technical skill and wealth

2nd style: Architectural illusion