Art history- Late roman empire, late imperal art

Overview- Decline, crisis and transformation

• Political instability, short reigns, and assassinations

• severe economic decline, inflation

• Rise of Christianity and changing social order

• increasing militarization of leadership

• Stylistic shift from naturalism to abstract and symbolism

Portrait of Septimius Severus and Family (Julia Domna, Caracalla and Geta)—wood

• Emperor Septimus Severus, his wife, and their sons, Caracalla and Geta

• Painted family portrait on wood; unique survival from antiquity

• After Geta's assassination, his face was removed.

• Found in Egypt in the Severan Dynasty

• Demonstrates dynastic propaganda

• shows the rise of provincial elites

• Damnatio memoriae is a visible piece of evidence of political instability

• Wearing jewelry and crowns: wealth

• egg paste on wood- special creation

Who were the members of the Severan Dynasty? What were some of the accomplishments of their reigns?

Septimius Severus: Expansion of the empire

Julia Domna: Legal reforms

Caracalla and Geta: Strengthening of military

Getas’ face was erased after the murder → Damnatio memoriae

What is damnatio memoriae? Which emperors suffered damnatio memoriae, and how can this be seen in art? What purpose did the practice serve in Roman society?

Portrait of Caracalla- marble

• Built under Emperor Caracalla

• Gigantic imperial bath complex

• Included: different rooms like natatio (pool), gardens, lecture halls, libraries

• South Rome

Significance:

• Shows imperial generosity, propaganda through public works.

• Engineering marvel- concrete vaulting

Baths of Caracalla, Rome

Describe the Baths of Caracalla. What types of rooms and spaces were included in the complex? What was the role of bathing in Roman society?

• Several different types of baths at different temperatures

• Spaces and social role → Community, hygien,e and imperial benefaction

• Made out of brick-based concrete and covered with fancy stone

• Inspired neoclassical construction- big arches

• Included different rooms: frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium, natatio (pool), gardens, lecture halls and library

Portraits of the Tetrarchs

How are the Tetrarchs represented in their portrait that is now in Venice? What was the Tetrarchy, and how is the organization of the Tetrarchy visible in the sculpture?

Who? 4 rules: two augustus and two ceaser

What? Highly stylized, blocky forms, large eyes, ZERO INDIVIDUALITY, showing rulers embracing- shared power

Where? Venice and created near the end of Diocletian's reign.

Why? Visualizes political ideology: unity, equality and stability

• Stylistic break from classical naturalism- Abstract reflects political transformation

• Represents collective rule—suppressing individuality.

Colossal Statue of Constantine, from the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine

Describe the Colossal Statue of Constantine. Where was this statue located? How does his portrait compare to that of earlier emperors?

What?

• Massive marble fragments of a seated statue—head, hand, and feet

• brick core with marble outer

• Enlarged eyes: divine inspiration

Where?

• Located in the Roman Forum

• Made after victory at Milvian Bridge

Contrast?

• Contract with naturalistic early emperors

Why?

• Abstract, symbolic portraiture—spiritual authority

• Marks a shift to Christian imperial imagery

Arch of Constantine

Who? Paid by Senate to honor Constantine

What? - Triumphal arch celebrating Constantine’s victory over Maxentius

- Incorperates spolia from earlier emperors (Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius)

Where? Near Colosseum, Rome

Why important?

• Political propaganda frames Constantine as heir to great emperors.

• Use of spolia (use of earlier imperial scultures)

• Blends classical reliefs with new abstract transitions in Roman art sculptures

What victory was commemorated in the Arch of Constantine? What is spolia, and how was it used on the arch? How is Constantine portrayed on the arch? How does the arch and its decoration serve Constantine’s propagandistic agenda?

• Celebrates Milvian Bridge

• Spolia—reuse of earlier imperial sculptures

• COnstaine appears as a generous and divinely sanctioned ruler.