What quality did Romans prefer in their sculptures and paintings?

Answer 1

During the Republican period Roman sculpture was highly realistic portraiture sculpture (busts). These were busts of prominent people which detailed the signs of age. Age and its wisdom were seen as the hallmarks of statesmanship.

With rule by emperors, the emperors favoured idealised full body statues modelled on Greek Hellenistic sculptures which depicted Hellenistic rulers as youthful. The vigour of youth was now became a mark of statesmanship. This shift from republican to imperial was promoted by Augustus who used art as a means for Propaganda for his personal rule. The Ara Pacis (Altar of peace) idealised Augustus as the restorer of peace. The statue of Augustus called Augustus of Prima Porta idealises Augustus as being divine and an imperator (which did not mean emperor; it meant winner in battle). It has a Cupid riding a dolphin. In mythology Cupid was the son of Venus. As the adoptive son of Julius Caesar, Augustus continued the personal religious cult started by Caesar by associating his family with Venus. Augustus also wears armour and raises his arm to salute the troops.

At this point the Romans modelled their sculpture on Hellenistic sculpture in general and copied of the masterpieces of Hellenistic sculptures were made (many of these were at the vatican Museums). The period of Hellenistic (Greek) art followed the period classical (Greek) art. Hellenistic art is a term which has been coined by modern historians as a convenient umbrella term to cover a long time period (300 years) and a very wide geographical spread, and therefore a time of great artistic variety.

In many ways, Hellenistic sculpture was an evolution of classical (Greek) sculpture which had become more naturalistic. It depicted real people and produced detailed studies of human anatomy and movement and the counterpoise (where the subjects put most of their weight on one foot, resulting in their shoulders and arms being off-axis from the hips). Hellenistic sculpture accentuated the counterpoise. Some statues had twisted hips. More elaborate postures depicting a greater sense of movement were also made and the poise had great suppleness. Anatomic studies were taken to a greater level of detail. Fine studies of drapery were also developed. Hellenistic sculpture also developed statues which could be observed from all angles. Statues also became more expressive, with a better depiction of emotions.

Painting did not exist in antiquity. The Romans and the other ancients did not paint pictures. The Romans made very good frescoes. The subjects of the frescoes varied according to the tastes of the people who commissioned them. They were usually in idealised realistic styles. Common subjects were women and groups of women (dressed or in the nude) family scenes, mythological scenes, portraits, byrds and gardens.

Answer 2

During the Republican period Roman sculpture was highly realistic portraiture sculpture (busts). These were busts of prominent people which detailed the signs of age. Age and its wisdom were seen as the hallmarks of statesmanship.

With rule by emperors, the emperors favoured idealised full body statues modelled on Greek Hellenistic sculptures which depicted Hellenistic rulers as youthful. The vigour of youth was now became a mark of statesmanship. This shift from republican to imperial was promoted by Augustus who used art as a means for Propaganda for his personal rule. The Ara Pacis (Altar of peace) idealised Augustus as the restorer of peace. The statue of Augustus called Augustus of Prima Porta idealises Augustus as being divine and an imperator (which did not mean emperor; it meant winner in battle). It has a Cupid riding a dolphin. In mythology Cupid was the son of Venus. As the adoptive son of Julius Caesar, Augustus continued the personal religious cult started by Caesar by associating his family with Venus. Augustus also wears armour and raises his arm to salute the troops.

At this point the Romans modelled their sculpture on Hellenistic sculpture in general and copied of the masterpieces of Hellenistic sculptures were made (many of these were at the vatican Museums). The period of Hellenistic (Greek) art followed the period classical (Greek) art. Hellenistic art is a term which has been coined by modern historians as a convenient umbrella term to cover a long time period (300 years) and a very wide geographical spread, and therefore a time of great artistic variety.

In many ways, Hellenistic sculpture was an evolution of classical (Greek) sculpture which had become more naturalistic. It depicted real people and produced detailed studies of human anatomy and movement and the counterpoise (where the subjects put most of their weight on one foot, resulting in their shoulders and arms being off-axis from the hips). Hellenistic sculpture accentuated the counterpoise. Some statues had twisted hips. More elaborate postures depicting a greater sense of movement were also made and the poise had great suppleness. Anatomic studies were taken to a greater level of detail. Fine studies of drapery were also developed. Hellenistic sculpture also developed statues which could be observed from all angles. Statues also became more expressive, with a better depiction of emotions.

Painting did not exist in antiquity. The Romans and the other ancients did not paint pictures. The Romans made very good frescoes. The subjects of the frescoes varied according to the tastes of the people who commissioned them. They were usually in idealised realistic styles. Common subjects were women and groups of women (dressed or in the nude) family scenes, mythological scenes, portraits, byrds and gardens.