Chapter 6.5: Roman Art:  The Late Antique Style, Roman Architecture and Innovation

Amy Morris, UNO School of the Arts

26 Chapter 6.5: Roman Art: The Late Antique Style, Roman Architecture and Innovation

THE LATE ANTIQUE STYLE

The style of Roman Imperial art was dependent on the naturalistic and idealistic tendencies of Greek art. The Romans even superseded the Greeks in their ability to create an illusion of space and depth in their reliefs. They also tended to create a greater sense of specificity in the depiction of events. As the Roman empire started to decline in power, a notable shift occurs in the style of art. This section explores the style of art that emerged in the late empire, a style that is sometimes described as Late Antique.

Roman Late Antique Artstor Gallery for UNO Students

Follow this link for a curated gallery of Roman Late Antique period art and architecture on Artstor. This gallery is available only to UNO students. If you are off-campus, you will be prompted to log in. For a refresher on using Artstor, see the UNO Libraries Artstor Libguide.

Late Antique TASK 1

While technically a portrait, the subject of the video below is an exceptional example of the changes that took place in portraiture in the Late Empire. After watching the video below, please answer the accompanying questions.

Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs

Late Antique TASK 1 prompts:

How did this sculpture group get to Venice?

During what phase of the Roman empire were these created?

What was the significance of Diocletian?

What is the Tetrarchy?

How do these figures compare to earlier portraits?

Which aspects are abstracted and deviate from earlier naturalism?

What message do they convey?

Late Antique TASK 2:

Arch of Constantine

Late Antique TASK 2 prompts:

What victory does it celebrate?

This arch is decorated with reliefs from earlier monuments and from the time of Constantine. What stylistic qualities exist in those that originated in Hadrian’s and Marcus Aurelius’s monuments?

What do some of the figures/scenes represent in a general sense?

What combined message does the reliefs from earlier monuments and other figures/motifs ultimately send (end of video – wait for it – Hamilton reference)?

How do the Constantinian reliefs differ in style from the borrowed ones?

How did art historians view the new forms?

What is the value of the style of the Constantinian reliefs?

What is Constantine’s relationship to Christianity?

How did Constantine leave his mark on the borrowed reliefs?

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE AND INNOVATION

Roman buildings are engineering marvels that utilized several innovations to create spacious, open interiors. This section explores the new techniques and materials used in Roman architecture and some of the buildings that employed them.

Interior view of the dome of the Pantheon, Rome. Dedicated C. 126 C.E. This remains the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world and has been in continuous use through its history, Credit: Mohammad Reza Domiri Ganji. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Roman Architecture TASK 1:
The sources below talk about the innovations that were the cornerstone of Roman building. After watching the first video to learn what these are, locate them in the other readings. Make note of how they were constructed and why they were so significant.

Roman Architecture

Vaults and vaulting

Types of Roman Vaults, from The Students’ Guide to Renaissance Architecture.

An introduction to ancient Roman architecture, from Smarthistory.

Roman Architecture TASK 1 prompt:

Make note of the buildings in the first video, how they were constructed, and why they are so significant.

Roman Architecture TASK 2 (Aqueducts)

Roman cities were extremely modern and offered a great deal to their citizens. One of the greatest benefits of all was running water. This video explores the technology and use of water in the capital city of the empire. After watching the video, please answer the accompanying questions.