Roman Imperial Art and Architecture

Imperial Roman Art and Architecture is a study of ancient Roman architecture, sculpture, painting and minor arts from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The focus is on the city of Rome and the ancient capital's imperial dominion in the peninsula and Mediterranean. The approach to the material is at technical, stylistic and iconographic levels understood within the historical context. Related topics of origins in Etruscan art, building materials and techniques, the relation between Roman art and Greek-Hellenistic art, portraiture, wall-painting and glass production are treated. On-site visits in Rome alternate with class lectures and a one-day excursion outside Rome. The goals are to create a thorough preparation for critical analysis of artifacts and source material, to develop research techniques and skills of interpretation of ancient art.