Art History: Ancient Roman Art

Catalog description

Art and architecture of the Roman Empire from its beginnings on the Italian peninsula, through its expansion across Europe, North Africa and parts of the Middle East. The course examines how the Romans effectively incorporated the heritage of Greek art into their own, creating a rich and diverse artistic milieu that they subsequently disseminated throughout the lands under their dominion. Particular attention is paid to the role of art in political propaganda, the methods by which art was transmitted to the provinces, the interaction between painting, sculpture, and architecture, and finally how Roman art was gradually adapted to the needs of the Christian faith. Works of art may be studied on a firsthand basis in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Students may be required to cover museum admission fees.