Take a step back in time and revisit the wonderful architecture and beautiful sculptures of Ancient Rome with Anatoly Vanetik.

1. Anatoly's Art History
Part I:
Ancient Rome

2. Introduction to Art
History
Art, when examined on a grand scale can
be interesting.
But truly bringing yourself in touch with the
art and culture of a time can be achieved
more easily by narrowing your focus.
Each month I will choose a new era or
specific culture’s art, and dive into the
history and intricacies of what made their
artform unique and noteworthy.

3. Intro to Ancient
Rome
The period that we consider to be “ancient Rome”
spans nearly 1,000 years and includes tastes and
influences from various surrounding territories,
including the Greeks.
The Romans featured a wide array of art forms
during their time creating art, including wall
paintings, murals, mosaics and sculptures.
Art could be found both in personal homes as well
as on the street and in public displays.

4. Ancient Roman Art
Painting
Photos: Mike Steele via Flickr

5. Ancient Roman Art
Painting
Despite not being one of the more "highly­esteemed" forms of
Roman art, paintings could be found everywhere from the
walls and roads of the streets of Pompeii to the Catacombs of
Rome.
The Romans are credited with popularizing landscape
painting.
Generally speaking, though portraits were created regularly,
they were not considered to be particularly “artful” or “high art”
by many Romans.
By far the highest esteemed paintings in Ancient Rome were
panel paintings, painted directly on wooden panels and
sometimes joined together to form larger pictures.

6. Ancient Roman Art
Sculpture
Photos:
Daiju Azume
Virtusincertus
Ed Beirman
Flickr

7. Ancient Roman Art
Sculpture
Sculpture was considered to be
one of the the highest forms of art.
Often made of marble or bronze,
Romans created statues, busts
and funerary sculptures such as
tombs. These were created not
only to be appreciated for their
beauty, but as a status symbol for
all of Rome.

8. Ancient Roman Art
Architecture
Photo: Myoan Brenn, Flickr

9. Ancient Roman Art
Architecture
Photo: Myoan Brenn, Flickr
If there is one thing that many people can correctly identify as
Ancient Roman art it is the luxurious and era­defining architecture of
Rome. They invented the vaulting ceilings found in many ancient
buildings and popularized the use of arches. These techniques for
ornate and beautiful structures didn’t necessarily arise completely
out of the desire for aesthetic pleasure, but for necessity. The
Roman Empire was incredibly widespread; the vast landscapes
forced the architects to create a faster, more efficient means of
construction that maintained the beauty that Rome had been known
for.
The Pantheon and the Colosseum were constructed primarily from
concrete, an underutilized building material at the time. They
represent just a fraction of the incredible architectural feats that the
Romans could pull off. Perhaps an under­appreciated facet of
architecture is the wide array of beautiful columns that the Romans
developed. With the primary intention of supporting the buildings
erected upon them, varying styles of columns, each more ornate
than the last were developed over time.

10. For More Art History
and Appreciation,
Visit:
TonyVanetik.net
Photo: Myoan Brenn, Flickr