Roman Art
Uploaded by dsat124 on Dec 14, 2008
Homework: Roman 2
The artist in this painting is trying to portray a theme of peace standing out in the history of the narrative the mural represents, as well as portraying Samuel larger than any others in the painting to emphasize him. These wall paintings, or murals, have themes relating to the Old Testament. This mural was painted with tempera on plaster around 245-246 CE. It was found in the Synagogue at Dura-Eurepas, Syria and a reconstruction of it can now be found in the National Museum in Damascus.
The statue of Christ depicts him in his youth. He is wearing clothes of Romans at the time: the artist’s intended audience, thus making the figure in the statue one that could be related to by the Romans. He is wearing the Roman tunic, toga, and sandals. In his left hand, he holds an unopened scroll. His head is one of a long-haired Appolo-type youth but his statuary type is more like the bearded Roman philosophers of advanced age. This 2’4” tall statue was made with marble around 350-375 CE in Civita Latina, Italy. It can now be found in the Museo Nazionale Romano in Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome.
The next piece is that of the interior of Santa Costanza. The dome shape and columns within the church were designed to focus all attention on the tomb in the center and make the viewing of it accessible from all angles. This church was built around 337-351 CE and stood next to the
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basilican church of Saint Agnes. It is believed to be originally built as a mausoleum Constantina, who was emperor Constantine’s daughter. The mausoleum was then converted into a church.
This piece is of the “Miracle of the loaves and fishes”. The artist portrays Jesus with open arms holding bread and fish to present the miracle of him offering food, and thus the survival to the masses which stand behind him. This mosaic was created in 504 CE and is found in the top register of the nave wall of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy. Jesus is portrayed wearing the imperial dress of gold and purple. The artist places much detail in the holy character of the event rather than specifics of what is actually happening in the picture.
This next piece is a picture of the interior Hagia Sophia. The superior architecture and design of it reveals the immense...