Classic Tradition in Medieval Art, Essay Example

The Greek Influence in Roman Sculpture

Two of the most celebrated ancient cultures in western culture is the Roman and Greeks. Classical Art both describes the art that was created during the times of the Greek and the Romans. The Greeks have been a major influence in both the Roman’s, and largely throughout history. As evident in many Roman sculptures, Greeks models played a significant role in influencing painting, sculptures, and architecture. While the Romans were greatly influenced in their works, they have also created their own interpretations of Classical Art in their sculptures.

The Greeks differed in their approach from the Archaic Period in which they sought a more human form that conveyed a naturalistic interpretation, such as in Kouros from Tenea (700 to 450 BC). Their ability in capturing god-like realness into sculptures is evident in their works such as, the Charioteer of Delphi (c.470 BCE), the Seated Boxer (c.150-100 BCE), and Hermes with the infant Dionysus, Praxiteles (mid-4^th BCE). The Greeks were privy to large amounts of marble, and they used it well to create sculptures during the early classical period, and during the high classical period utilized bronze. (Cartwright 1). Those were not the only mediums; the Greeks also utilized terracotta, stone, wood, ivory, and gold to created high relief and low relief of in the round. They took their inspiration from their deities to create godlike humans, and human-like gods, to mimic the Olympic Games athletes. Their characteristics in each of their sculptures embodied, stylized features that were set by stereotypes to provide great simplification. They went for a more natural, lifelike, and realistic features, as well as idealized to make generally youthful ad perfect. However, overall they provided harmony in each of their sculptures in which they were orderly, consistent, and pleasing arrangement. This can be seen in The Discus Thrower, during the Hellenistic Period with an unknown artist (350 to 50 BC). The Greeks perfected a high degree of control in using realism that are shown in many famous works by sculptures such as, Lysippus of Sicyon, Scopas of Paros, Praxiteles of Athens, Polykeltiors of Argos, and Pheidias of Athens. (Crystal Links 1).

Other Greek Models that influence Roman sculptures were their creation of ancient Greek temples in which followed the three orders of Corinthian, Ionic, and Doric that used both marble and stone, to construct columns that were both beautiful and provided support. (Morfett et al 125). The Parthenon being the most famous constructions of the Greek also consists of sculptures dedicated to Poseidon and Athena, among several other deities. The Greeks also included elders, priests, maidens, nobles, soldiers, and sacrificial animals in which they used in an undetailed background in low relief. (Guisepi 1).Composed within the narrow band, they were depicted both beautiful and vividly alive. They continued to created iconic sculptures and art right up until the Romans conquered Greece.

Greek art greatly influenced Romans during 146 BC as it became interwoven inseparably with Romans. The Romans had a lack of originality, as they borrowed from Greek Gods, religion, and their ideals. Romans utilized several of the same methods that includes architectural sculpture, funerary sculpture, bronze casting, freestanding sculpture, and low and high relief. Romans copied many great works from Greek sculptures such as the statue of Venus (500 BC; 2^nd Century AD), in which they created theirs in bronze, instead of marble. They also copied Apollo of Veii, in polychrome terra cotta, while also using a mixture of porphyry and marble in their sculptures. They also followed Greek models in their natural, realistic, and modest forms in their portrait sculptures such as, A Roman Patrician with Busts of His Ancestors (c.30 BC),  that differed from other imperial works. The Romans were also influenced in depicting military exploits, much like the Greeks, but they offered a style that was more documentary in Roman reliefs, such as Column of Trajan, that showed the battle scenes. (Cartwright 1). The Greeks relied on mythological allegories in depicting their military exploits, but the Romans differed in providing first-hand representation of military equipment, and military costumes. In sculpting the Roman temples, they also borrowed heavily from the Greeks. They copied many great works such as the Parthenon, but renamed them and created a gabled roof that was rectangular that created high platforms with a frontal staircase. The Pantheon can be seen as how it differed with a domed temple in which using the Corinthian-Ionic style imputed many details into their temple decorations. Other great temples that shown how Romans differed is with the Arch of Constantine (312 to 315 CE) in which showed the flat roof and embellished detail in the columns. The Pantheon (118 to 125 CE) that showed how different the structure of the building look, as well as the most famous, the Colosseum (70 to 80 CE). These great Roman architectures showed off their utilization of Corinthian style that improved on the Ionic and Doric orders, to introduce the Tuscan Column to use in architecture that was more domestic uses, unlike the Greeks. (Guisepi 1).

The Romans differed from the Greek in their form as they used a propaganda style, in which they depicted soldiers or people that would appeal to the public that were healthy, clean, tall, and standing broad. This can primarily be seen in Augustus of Prima Porta (c.20 BCE) and Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (161 to 180 CE). Unlike the Greek depicting their Gods, the sculptures of Roman were largely commissioned to serve the needs of the patrons and the makers’ temperaments. Roman sculptures were indicative of wealth and status, and served to be more decorative. While the Greeks relied on artistic theory, in which they used aesthetic qualities of art. The Romans also were innovative in using cheaper materials such as concrete that was easily obtainable and flexible. The Romans decorated their buildings elaborately both inside and out, and used their buildings for more practical uses such as bathhouses, or other places of pleasure. Their sculptures depicted human anatomy, and highly embellished real individuals, unlike the mythological and perfect sculptures of the Greek. While the Romans can thank many of the culture and ideals to the Greeks. The Romans have created truly remarkable architecture and sculptures that have stood the test of time, with their push of physic boundary designs in adding arches, and slender columns, with a wide range of materials. This has resulted in the Romans being able to influence other architectural designs around the world, which has continued to be study in the present.

Works Cited

“Art In Ancient Rome.” Crystal Links. N.d. Web. 10 December 2014. http://www.crystalinks.com/romeart.html

Cartwright, Mark. “Roman Architecture.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. 5 October 2013. Web. 10 December 2014. http://www.ancient.eu/Roman_Architecture/

Guisepi, R.A. “Greek and Roman Art.” History World International. N.d. Web. 10 December 2014. http://history-world.org/arthist.htm

Moffett, Marian, Michael Fazio, Lawrence Wodehouse. A World History of Architecture. Lawrence King Publishing. 2003. Book.

1) The Arena of Nimes (70 AD) (Image #9)

The Roman work, is an amphitheater in which was created during 70 AD, in the center of Nimes. The Arena of Nimes, is influenced heavily by the Greeks, they utilized many aqueducts and bridges in creating double tiers of arches made completely of stone. They incorporated several statues, pediments, projections, and columns, which mirrored some of the features of Greek amphitheater. The Arena of Nimes like many of the Roman amphitheaters were partially roofed, that displayed their trademarked triumphal arches that provided several entrances that once showcase several works of art. Its oval shape displays perfect symmetry, provided unrestricted views for spectators. The Arena of Nimes was used to entertain the masses with gladiator fights, the Roman games, festivals, and hunting. This architect by the Romans showcases their own innovations of creating works that are well preserved and practical for numerous uses.

2) Westminster Abbey (Image #4)

This iconic structure, is known as Westminster Abby, in which is created using Gothic technique, which transformed it from an abbey to a cathedral during the 10^th century. Known throughout the UK as one of the most notable religious buildings, it now serves as Royal Peculiar, which serves the benefits of the Sovereign for coronations, burials, and weddings (William and Kate). First known as ST. Peter’s Abbey, it was created using Norman Romanesque style, but by the time that King Edward was on the thrown it was rebuilt using an Anglo-French Gothic, that matched the style of monarchy. This style of style evolved from the Romanesque style to flourishing within the Medieval period. It focused on using flying buttress, ribbed vaults, and pointed arches. It serves as a major tourist attraction, and a place to dwell with where the likes of the royals attend. Overall it is a great product of Gothic style, and a precedence to the Renaissance movement.

3) Lukas the Evangelist (Image # 1)

Lukas the Evangelist is just one of several paintings that show the evangelists, in which the carved ivory panel is a part of the Codex Aureus of Lorsch, written between 778 to 820 AD. Apart of the Early Medieval Period, the picture depicted in The Lorsch Gospels, was considered Carolingian Art. This type of work is largely commissioned for important monasteries and the court circle. Borrowed from the Frankish Empire, the artwork blended both the Pre-Romanesque art, the representation of the human figure, and the styles and art forms found in classical Mediterranean forms. This style of work was used in showing of the innovative and created skills during the Ottoman Empire, which showed out the illuminating manuscripts that provided much color detail in highlighting Lukas the Evangelist, as well as several other art depicted in the Gospels. It is one of the most iconic depictions of Luka the Evangelist that shows off the influence of Carolingian Art.

4) Andrea Mantegna “Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian” (Image #5)

Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Andrea Mantegna, was create around 1480, with tempera on canvas. It currently hangs in the Louvre Museum. It was a part of the Renaissance Period in which depicted its works of real figures with special attention paid to the human body. Depicted in several other artist’s works, the picture details the story of St. Sebastian, and his refusal to the emperor in executing Christians. The work of art is iconic in showing the “perfect” youth looking men, tied to a tree, with several arrows piecing his body. The artist Mantegna, painted Sebastian three times, in which conveyed the fortitude, suffering, strength, and vulnerability of the saint. The Renaissance Italian Artist, mostly Florentine painters, applied several classical principles to show the architectural designs, as well as the elegant position of the St. Sebastian. Much like the Greeks focused on the showing the body of their Olympic athletes, and god-like people, St. Sebastian was shown in his youth body with dominant figure, and his eyes and head turned towards heaven, to confirm the martyrdom of St. Sebastian. The artists utilizes realism in depicting the trees, and the ruins of the city, while also detailing the accurate depiction of architectural columns used during the time periods.

Notre-dame de Reims “The Smiling Angel” (Image #3)

The Notre-Dame De Reims, (Our Lady of Reims), or the Reims Cathedral, is a French cathedral build in 1211, in which is a seat of the Archdiocese of Reims that crowned the Kings of France. Created using numerous different styles, in two centuries, it provided a unique style in which showcases the sculpted figures, that surrounds the exterior of the cathedral. It is built with three portals, with the picture showing the medieval statues of angels. As well as a front portal dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the gallery of kings. The cathedral is built with many facades that are also decorated by many sculptures. Designed to accommodate several large crowns, the style used is Gothic, which also consists of splays, arches, and gables. The cathedral is outlined with rose windows, and represents several figures throughout the bible. The Smiling Angels, are a product of French engineering, in which was influenced by the war, as it was reconstructed during the 20^th century. The cathedral is a major tourist attraction, and still functions as a large church to host several large crowds.