ANCIENT

ROME
Roman Sculpture
Roman Sculpture
Roman sculpture refers to the
sculpture of Ancient Rome. Although
Roman sculpture initially copied much
from Greek sculpture just as Greeks had
originally copied from late Egyptians, it
eventually became its distinct form of
sculpture, which more emphasized the
individual. Much Roman sculpture
survives, although some of it is damaged.
There are many surviving sculptures of
Roman emperors. Tombstones of rich
citizens often exhibit portraits of the
deceased carved in relief.
Unlike Roman architecture, Roman
sculpture was deeply affected by the
tastes of artists and patrons as well as by
class interest. The “patricians” gravitated
to the Greek styles and the “plebeians”
favored the local art, called Italo-Roman
1. Metal –Bronze(mixture of copper and tin)
-easily melted, rich in color, and
has a smooth texture
2. Stones –Marble
- durable, smooth, and pliable to touch
Roman Sculpture’s Five
Categories:
• Portraiture
--portrait busts of ordinary citizens carved in a
very realistic manner that showed their own
imperfections; vigorous and alive in appearance.)
• Relief Sculptures
a. Historical Reliefs
b. Funeral Reliefs
• Sarcophagi (coffin-like structures)
• Equestrian Statues
 1.Portraiture intent is to display the individual
likeness, personality, and even the mood.
Idealization in
portraiture
allowed emperors to
emphasize
their loyalties to the
imperial dynasty, and
legitimize
their authority by
visually linking
themselves to their
predecessors.
Portrait of Lucius Verus
Portrait Busts

Cato and Portia Emperor Caracalla

2.Relief Sculptures
A. Historical Relief TRAJAN’S
COLUMN

This spiral frieze

commemorates
Emperor Trajan’s
victories in the two
campaigns
against the
Dacian people of
the lower Danube
region.
This relief depicts a
sacrificial procession.
B. Funeral Reliefs

Cameo fragment with Jupiter

astride an eagle
3.Sarcophagi a funeral receptacle for a corpse,
commonly carved or cut from stone.
Stone
sarcophagus
of
Merenptah.

Asiatic garland
sarcophagus

Endymion
sarcophagus
4.Equestrian Statues
Rome’s contribution
to the world.
These carved
statues represent a
figure astride a
horse. These
statues inspired
artists in the
Renaissance Age

Marcus Aurelius
Characteristics of Roman
Sculpture:
• It is finely detailed to show its realistic
portray.
• Have an origin, very remote and
altogether Italianate.
• It is usually made of Bronze metal but later
on, they made used of Marble.
• It is realistic (it actually portrays an actual
person, wart and all compared to Greek
which portray a perfect vision of god,
goddesses and hero).
• Some are usually small, and could be
used as seals.(Intaglio sculptures)
• It is more modest and natural.
• It is sometimes shallow three dimensional
carvings on flat surfaces, used for
architectural works such as columns,
arches and Temples.
• Fulfilled public relations and publicity
roles.
• Hellenistic motifs and styles(Hellenic
Style)
• Idealized Portrait style
• Realistic style (realism)
• Symbolic Idealism Style
Hellenistic style

Hermes and
Dionysus of Greece
Idealistic Portrait

Antinous Chalkis Julio-Claudian

Idealistic Portraits

Brutus

Empress
Julia Domna
Realistic Style

Emperor
Vespasian
Constantine
Symbolic Idealism Style

Hadrian Marcus aurelius

Trajan
Symbolic Idealism Style

Marcus Aurelius Hadrian Trajan

The Ancient Roman
Sculpture
MARTIAL SCULPTURES OF
ANCIENT ROME
Seated boxer from the baths of
Diocletian…
And this is how the Greeks used to do it; Demoxenes
delivering an openhanded thrust to Creugas, penetrating
his side and killing him instantly (not shown).
 The painting
depicts
personal
violence…

wrestling
Gladiators
at work…
Gods and Goddesses
Venus and Mars
(a young man
preparing for war)

Minerva
(Athena)
Victory
Cherubs carrying arms
Romans fighting Gauls…
 Wounded Gaul,
Roman copy of He is lying
Greek original on his
shield,
sophisticated
-looking
sword,
scabbard
and war
trumpet.

The Gaul is wearing

a torc…
Captured “Barbarians”
war trophies
 pair of fasces as
carried by lictors…
• This scene of stabbing
someone under the skirt
was apparently considered
extremely hip on your
cinerary urn...
Prepared by:
Leanderson Alon
Manilyn Bagne
Sofia jia
Donna delos santos
Jan Mark Nueva