1. Art 2 - Power Point, May 2011 - Roman To Early Christian:A Stylistic and Iconographic Study

2. A great transition:Imperial Rome (27 BC) toLate Antique (c. 300 AD)
3. Compare & Contrast These Works.
At left is the Statue of the Tetrarchy from the Late Antique Period, c. 305 AD.
At right is the statueof Augustus, the first Emperor.About 27 BC
4. Points of Comparison
The Augustus shows us a borrowing of classical style through:
--a contrapposto stance
--accurate anatomical structure, i.e.,calf muscles, knee cap, arm
--a turn of the head, natural proportions
The Tretrarchy statue, typical of many Late Antique art works has none of these, instead shows almost fear and a more militaristic pose.
5. Copy of the Augustus Breastplate
We see a Parthian soldier returning the Roman standard to a Romana symbol of Parthian defeat.Below, a woman, two suckling babies and a cornucopiaallsymbols of fertility, growth andprosperity. Part ofAugustus propaganda for a new age of the Empire.
6. Roman Portraiture
Augustus 27 BC-14 AD A more idealized portrait.
Caracalla 217 AD A highly realistic portrait.
7. Examples ofRoman Verism
Two examples of extreme realism, called verism in Roman art hist.Cicero, at Left, the famous writer of the Roman Republic.
Emperor Trajan , right, c. 113 AD
8. Late Antique Style c.284 - 325 AD
Emperor Constantine the Great
(306-337 AD)
Initiates many major changes:

Recognizes the new religion ofChristianity.Gives freedom for Christians to worship.

9. Moves away from the classical style. 10. Changes the scale and materials of some sculpture. 11. Borrows reliefs from previous good Emperors. These are called Spolia.