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RECOGNIZING ART (5)

SIMO JELAČA, Ph.D.

ROMAN ART

The Latins were not a homogeneous group, but a synthesis of peoples. From the 2nd century BC, Roman art began to develop. Over the next 500 years, they changed and merged into European art. This was followed by a period when Roman artists sank into anonymity. Only architecture managed to combine the beautiful and the useful.

Architecture

Roman art had little influence from Greek art, only a minor influence on decoration, by combining the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian styles. The Corinthian Capitol was created in Rome, which is recognizable in the ornamentation. Roman civilization required maximum functionality. Roman buildings have 8 columns in the vestibule. The interior spaces of buildings were of crucial importance. Roman designers achieved aesthetic results by using bricks. From the time of the Republic to the twilight of the Empire, the basilica was the most important form of architecture. From the 4th century BC, the Christian basilica appeared, which is still in use today. The amphitheater is one of the largest buildings in Rome. Thus, the Colosseum is identified with Rome. From the 2nd century BC, arches were built of stone and brick for theaters and arenas. The oldest amphitheater is in Pompeii, built around 80 BC, and the most spectacular is the Colosseum, built by Vespasian. The difference between Roman and Greek architecture is in the arch, as a national landmark. For the Romans, the arch is a monument in itself (the triumphal arch is a triumphal arch). The appearance of bridges and aqueducts in Italy and the rest of the Roman Empire testifies to the importance of the arch. Architectural skill transforms a functional element into an aesthetic motif. Architectural knowledge allows the construction of ever larger arches. The Pont-du-Gard aqueduct was built in 25 BC. It is a monument of this type. The Hellenistic world originated from the replacement of the peristyle with columns, which allowed the construction of multi-storey houses.

Sculpture

Roman sculptors do not show the innovative power of their architects, although they are not so attached to Greek sculpture. Conquering Greece, the Romans took away many Greek works. This led to the copying of Greek sculptures, which became a separate activity. They copied the decorations of houses and villas, gardens and architectural structures. In Italy, a copying movement developed as a new type of sculpture. Roman sculptors depict the face of a bust, which is different from the Greek. Greek sculptors depict abstract sculptures, and the Romans realistic ones. The Romans kept them in their homes, like their ancestors. And the masks of the ancestors were not considered art. They became so later. The Romans created portrait statues, where the main attention was paid to the head. The original statue is the head of Augustus. In Rome, from the first century AD, the custom of erecting an honorary monument to the winner, a column with a statue on top, was established.

The works of Greek painters remained almost unknown due to mass destruction, while the works of Roman painters were widespread from the 2nd century BC until the imperial period. The most sought-after form of this art was wall painting. These types of painting are typical of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, where the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD ended all life, from which numerous sun paintings and mosaics come. A Hellenistic element is noticeable in Roman painting. This influence was strongest in the 1st century BC. Animals and plants were brought to life in detail in paintings. The styles of painting in Rome have been designated as: structural, architectural, royal wall style and fantastic style. None of these styles are realistic. The Roman interest was in concrete individualization. The Romans were attracted by contrasts of color and light. In the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. The themes of painting are from hunting, seafaring, agriculture, with depictions of animals, trees, clothing and tools. There were also erotic paintings in the bedrooms.

Applied art

Precious stones were mainly depicted with mythological and religious myths, as well as myths from hunting and others. From the time of Augustus, the fashion for precious stones with historical motifs gained more and more momentum in the style of academicism. Glass processing in Rome reached its peak, using the blowing technique, during the 1st century AD. Glass dinnerware was used in Rome. The dishes were made of various metals, silver and gold, with characters from mythology. The Romans were experienced in making jewelry, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. Roman goldsmiths combined gold with emeralds and other precious stones. Chains with metal coins and rings were made.

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