Art Research Paper 2

Research #1

The Romans used similar architecture as other ancient people, but the Romans used concrete construction. The Romans frequently constructed theaters; for example, the Aerial view of the amphitheater (Figure 10-13, p.245) was a roofless circular or oval structure that enclosed a large center space or arena, from which the seats radiated in tiers. Another theatre was the Colosseum: the aerial view of the Colosseum (Figure 10-36, p.260). The Romans would gather at events in the theatres for entertainment. The Roman gladiator contests in the amphitheater arena were executions where (sometimes) defenseless individuals were brought out and subjected to butchery and certain death. The Greeks and Romans regularly led criminals condemned to death through the theater, where they were subjected to ridicule by the assembled throngs.

            The Romans also built the Temple of Portunus (Figure 10-3, p.240) which was “a temple dedicated to Portunus, the Roman god of harbors” (p.239). The Romans found favor with the Greek architecture and art; as such, you can see Greek architecture in the Roman Buildings. As the Romans conquered new areas, like Greece, they acquired wealth. This wealth allowed the Romans to build “The Roman House” (p.247). According to Figure 10-16 the Restored view and plan of a typical Roman House, the house contained a “fauces, atrium, impulvium, cubiculum, ala, tablinum, triclinium, and a peristle” (italics authors; p.247).

Research #2

Greek architecture entered in the seventh century B.C.E. and lasted down to the fourth century B.C.E. Athens became the site for majestic temples and buildings erected in honor of the Greek gods and goddesses. The Parthenon, Figure 5-43 and 44 (p.126-7), represent the Greek style of architecture by the three Greek columns developed: the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian.

The Romans were much indebted to the Greeks as to architectural style, as stated in essay 1. Roman architecture was generally more functional and lacked some of the beauty. Perhaps, the use of concrete made it difficult for the Romans to copy the Corinthian capital (Figure 5-73, p.144). However, the Roman architects development of the double arch and the dome were amazing (Exhibit 10-6, p.241). The Romans could extend the span of their arches through the use of concrete this can be seen in the Pantheon (Exhibit 10-49 to 10-51, p. 267-268).

Research #3

The early Christians architects designed their buildings with mosaics: the use of stones, and later glass, to represent rocky landscapes, vegetation, rough water, or even skies with wandering clouds. These scenes of nature helped to depict the life of Jesus: Christian Religion. Figure 11-1, the Interior of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is an excellent example of how mosaics were used, because the entire building is covered in mosaics (p. 288). In Figure 11-13, Detail of vault mosaic in the ambulatory of Santa Costanza the mosaics are in the ambulatory; “a ringlike barrel-vaulted corridor separated from the central domed cylinder by a dozen pairs of columns” (p.300). Figure 11-17, Interior of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo features mosaics of “prophets and scenes from the life of Christ” (p.303). The building was built for Theodoric, so that he could dedicate it to Christ. The mosaics in the building were built so that they would catch the light; therefore, the photograph in the textbook fails to do the mosaics justice.

Research #4

The Byzantine removed the nature scenes from the mosaics; unlike the early Christians and they added “fields of gold” (Figure 12-13, p.322). The Byzantine started to create icons (images) depicting Christian figures, but this divided the people. According to Fred Kleiner, “The iconoclasts (breakers of images) and the iconophiles (lovers of images) became bitter and irreconcilable enemies… The consequences of iconoclasm for the history of Byzantine art are difficult to overstate” (p.326). The people became divided, because the Law that God gave to his people after liberating them from Egypt explicitly directed against idolatrous practices (creating images). The book of Exodus includes the Ten Commandments which expressly prohibited making for worship a carved image. The iconoclasts were following the book of Deuteronomy which explains that all existing idolatry (altars, sacred pillars, sacred poles, and graven images) were to be destroyed. The iconoclasts destroyed a number of pieces of art.

 

References

Kleiner, Fred. (2011). Art through the ages: a global history (13^th ed). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.