La escultura romana: Característica generales. El retrato romano.

The Role of Roman Sculpture in Society

Aesthetic and Propagandistic Functions

• Roman sculpture served not only aesthetic purposes but also public and propagandistic functions, commemorating ancestors and significant historical events that contributed to Rome's glory.

• Unlike Greek ideals of beauty, Roman art focused on realistic representations of actual citizens and events rather than idealized forms.

Characteristics of Roman Sculpture

• The primary characteristic of Roman sculpture was realism, influenced by Latin traditions and Hellenistic styles.

• Etruscan practices included creating wax masks (Imagines Majorum) for deceased family members, which were displayed in homes and public ceremonies as a sign of pride.

Evolution from Wax to Stone

• Over time, wax masks were replaced by bronze or marble sculptures that accurately depicted the deceased's features.

• Romans prioritized practical representation over idealized beauty, aiming to document history truthfully while celebrating their military conquests.

Influence of Hellenistic Naturalism

• Roman realism incorporated elements from Hellenistic naturalism while adopting principles like Mimesis (imitation of nature), anthropomorphism, proportions, and contraposto from classical sculpture.

Materials and Themes in Sculpture

• Common materials included lost-wax casting for bronze sculptures and carved marble; like Greek works, these sculptures were often polychrome.

• Themes extended beyond gods and heroes to include portraits of ancestors, notable figures from the Republic, emperors, and imperial families as symbols of power.

Genres and Techniques in Roman Sculpture

Narrative Reliefs

• Historical relief narratives depicted true stories glorifying Rome’s achievements through detailed carvings.

Prominent Sculptural Forms

• Key sculptural genres included realistic full-body portraits (both standing and equestrian), historical narrative reliefs for glorification purposes, funeral reliefs on sarcophagi, and decorative relief work.

Preservation Through Copies

• Many original Greek sculptures have been lost; however, numerous copies filled private collections due to the popularity among wealthy Romans who adorned their villas with them.

Portraiture: Realism vs. Idealization

Transition in Portrait Styles

• As wax masks evolved into stone sculptures (marble or bronze), they maintained fidelity to the deceased's features while capturing psychological depth reflecting social status.

Varieties of Portrait Types

• Different portrait types emerged including bust portraits, full-length seated or standing figures, with equestrian statues symbolizing power becoming prominent during this period.

Republican vs. Imperial Portraiture

Republican Realism

• Republican portraiture emphasized stark realism with individualized facial features portraying strong personalities indicative of serious character traits typical among virtuous Romans.

Shift Post-Augustus

Imperial Portraiture in Roman Art

The Representation of Power and Authority

• The emergence of different types of imperial portraits during Augustus' reign reflects the new powers he consolidated, showcasing his political authority through toga-clad representations as a consul and senator.

• Augustus is depicted as pontifex maximus, emphasizing his religious power with a toga covering his head and holding a patena, alongside military portrayals where he commands silence from soldiers.

• The famous statue of Augustus from Primaporta illustrates him in military attire, based on Polykleitos' Doryphoros, adorned with reliefs symbolizing peace while glorifying the emperor's image.

• His bare feet signify divinity; Cupid at his feet references the divine lineage of the Julian family. Apotheotic representations often depict emperors nude and crowned, associating them with deities like Jupiter or Mars.

Evolution of Imperial Sculpture

• The equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius remains one of the few complete examples from this era, made from gilded bronze using lost-wax casting techniques. It portrays him in military garb on horseback, extending an arm in a gesture that suggests peace or review.

• Notably, Aurelius wears a philosopher's tunic instead of armor, highlighting his intellectual dimension beyond mere military prowess.

Changes in Portrait Styles Over Time

• Male portraiture evolved throughout the imperial period; during the Julio-Claudian dynasty, idealism persisted with familiar features—short hair styled softly over the forehead and serene expressions reminiscent of classical Greek art.

• The Claudian dynasty shifted towards realism; hairstyles became longer and more elaborate while maintaining classical influences.

• By the Antonine dynasty, curly hairstyles emerged along with beards starting notably from Emperor Hadrian’s time. This period also saw increased Hellenistic influence on artistic styles.

Late Imperial Trends

• Under Hadrian's rule, bust sizes grew to include shoulders and arms; artists began emphasizing eye details through concentric circles for dramatic effect.

• During the Severan dynasty, decorative elements flourished alongside pronounced contrasts between light and shadow effects in sculptures.

• In late imperial times, portraits became less naturalistic and more symbolic to convey grandeur and distance between emperors and their subjects rather than realistic likenesses.

Female Portraiture Development