ART 265-01, The Social Life of Roman Sculpture, Spring 2011

Abstract

This course will present the history of Roman sculpture from the Republic to the Early Christian period (ca. 4th century BCE – 4th century CE) and will address a broad range of contexts and functions: funerary, political, domestic, religious, etc. Genres of sculpture to be covered are portraiture (both Imperial and private), major public monuments with relief and freestanding sculptural decoration, funerary sculpture, and smaller works like cameos, coins, and metal vases with relief decoration. The primary aim of the course is to examine sculpture’s various roles in ancient society and the impact that different types of sculpture might have had on the ancient population. By reading ancient texts (in translation) and recent research on Roman sculpture, we will examine the eclectic styles of this material as well as its tremendously varied uses and meanings. By approaching Roman sculpture as a code of communication, this course will bring new life to familiar portraits, historical relief, and garden statuary.