Roman (500 b.c.– a.d. 476)
For several centuries Ancient Rome was the most powerful nation on earth, excelling all others at military organization and warfare, engineering, and architecture. Its unique cultural achievements include the invention of the dome and the groin vault, the development of concrete and a European-wide network of roads and bridges. Despite this, Roman sculptors and painters produced only a limited amount of outstanding original fine art, preferring instead to recycle designs from Greek art, which they revered as far superior to their own. Indeed, many types of art practiced by the Romans - including, sculpture (bronze and marble statuary, sarcophagi), fine art painting (murals, portraiture, vase-painting), and decorative art (including metalwork, mosaics, jewelry, ivory carving) had already been fully mastered by Ancient Greek artists. Not surprisingly, therefore, while numerous Greek sculptors (like Phidias, Kresilas, Myron, Polykleitos, Callimachus, Skopas, Lysippos, Praxiteles, and Leochares, Phyromachos) and painters (like Apollodorus, Zeuxis of Heraclea, Agatharchos, Parrhasius, Apelles of Kos, Antiphilus, Euphranor of Corinth) were accorded great respect throughout the Hellenistic world, most Roman artists were regarded as no more than skilled tradesmen and have remained anonymous.
Of course it is wrong to say that Roman art was devoid of innovation: its urban architecture was ground-breaking, as was its landscape painting and portrait busts. Nor is it true that Roman artists produced no great masterpieces - witness the extraordinary relief sculpture on monuments like Ara Pacis Augustae and Trajan's Column. But on the whole, we can say that Roman art was predominantly derivative and, above all, utilitarian. It served a purpose, a higher good: the dissemination of Roman values along with a respect for Roman power. As it transpired, classical Roman art has been immensely influential on many subsequent cultures, through revivalist movements like Neoclassical architecture, which have shaped much European and American architecture, as exemplified by the US Capitol Building The lesser-known Classical Revival in modern art (1900-30) led to a return to figure painting as well as new abstract movements like Cubism.
Of course it is wrong to say that Roman art was devoid of innovation: its urban architecture was ground-breaking, as was its landscape painting and portrait busts. Nor is it true that Roman artists produced no great masterpieces - witness the extraordinary relief sculpture on monuments like Ara Pacis Augustae and Trajan's Column. But on the whole, we can say that Roman art was predominantly derivative and, above all, utilitarian. It served a purpose, a higher good: the dissemination of Roman values along with a respect for Roman power. As it transpired, classical Roman art has been immensely influential on many subsequent cultures, through revivalist movements like Neoclassical architecture, which have shaped much European and American architecture, as exemplified by the US Capitol Building The lesser-known Classical Revival in modern art (1900-30) led to a return to figure painting as well as new abstract movements like Cubism.
What will go in the Journal? At least Double Page Spread.
WHAT - Photo Examples of Ancient Roman artwork. At least 3 pictures of different types of artwork
WHEN - Include dates of when Ancient Rome existed including a map of it's location.
HOW - Write a few sentences about how at least one of the types of artwork were created.
WHY - Write a few sentences about the reasons why Roman artwork was created. What purpose did it serve?
Journal Page should be visually appealing when complete. This is a combination of a collection of information and interesting visuals.
***You may include anything else you feel necessary in your journal. This book should be a way for you to dive into studying these different points in art history.
WHAT - Photo Examples of Ancient Roman artwork. At least 3 pictures of different types of artwork
WHEN - Include dates of when Ancient Rome existed including a map of it's location.
HOW - Write a few sentences about how at least one of the types of artwork were created.
WHY - Write a few sentences about the reasons why Roman artwork was created. What purpose did it serve?
Journal Page should be visually appealing when complete. This is a combination of a collection of information and interesting visuals.
***You may include anything else you feel necessary in your journal. This book should be a way for you to dive into studying these different points in art history.