Week 6: Eric: Discussion

Somehow none of the previous blog posts correspond to blog assignment, I must be missing something. Anyways...

1) Nodelmann describes Roman art as a system of signs. These aren't signs to point out anything concrete to the viewer. But rather like signs, Roman portraiture captures its viewer's attention. A glimpse of the busts of Julius Caesar and the Republican brings attention to certain physical features, primarily those around the face. The details reveal wrinkled skin and balding hair, while the overall portrait reveals a serious espression that seems to describe the state of societal matters of the era. Roman portraiture becomes a sign that describes the happenings of the past.

2) According to Katherine Welch, Roman statues take on a very Greek appearance, using Greek characters as models, and also having been created from marble or bronze. The Roman appropriation of Greek sculpture as pointed out by Welch, is a synthesis of various Greek styles. Greek sculpture was already perfected in the eyes of the Romans, so Roman artists created with styles from several Greek periods at the discretion. An example lies in a relief sculpture from the Great Trajanic frieze. It depicts a scenery and was used as an architectural ornament.