🏛️Art and Monuments of Augustan Rome Unit 7 – Augustan Sculptural Programs and Reliefs

Key Figures and Historical Context

• Augustus, the first Roman emperor, ruled from 27 BCE to 14 CE and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana
• Gaius Maecenas, a close advisor and friend to Augustus, played a significant role in promoting the arts and literature during this period
• The Augustan age marked a transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, characterized by political stability and a flourishing of the arts
• Augustus sought to legitimize his rule and promote his agenda through a comprehensive program of art and architecture
• The Augustan period saw a revival of traditional Roman values, such as pietas (duty), virtus (virtue), and clementia (mercy), which were reflected in the art and literature of the time

Augustan Artistic Revolution

• Augustus initiated a major cultural renaissance, known as the Augustan Artistic Revolution, which transformed Roman art and architecture
• This revolution involved a shift from the Hellenistic style, which had dominated Roman art in the previous century, to a more classicizing style that emphasized clarity, simplicity, and idealism
• The Augustan period saw a proliferation of public buildings, monuments, and sculptures that served to glorify the emperor and the Roman state
• Artists and architects drew inspiration from classical Greek art, particularly the works of the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, but adapted these models to suit Roman tastes and values
• The Augustan Artistic Revolution set the stage for the development of a distinctly Roman style of art and architecture that would influence the Western world for centuries to come

Major Sculptural Programs

• The Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), dedicated in 9 BCE, is one of the most significant sculptural programs of the Augustan period
  • The altar features elaborate relief sculptures depicting scenes from Roman mythology and history, as well as portraits of Augustus and his family
  • The Ara Pacis serves as a powerful symbol of the peace and prosperity brought about by Augustus's rule
• The Forum of Augustus, dedicated in 2 BCE, was another major sculptural program that celebrated Augustus's achievements and the history of Rome
  • The forum featured a temple to Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) and a series of statues depicting famous Romans from the past
  • The sculptural program of the Forum of Augustus served to link Augustus's rule with the glorious history of Rome and to present him as the rightful heir to the legacy of the great Roman heroes
• The Augustan period also saw the creation of numerous portrait sculptures of the emperor and his family, which were distributed throughout the empire as a means of promoting the imperial cult

Iconic Relief Works

• The Ara Pacis Augustae features several iconic relief sculptures, including the "Tellus Panel" which depicts the goddess of the earth surrounded by symbols of fertility and abundance
• The "Processional Frieze" on the Ara Pacis depicts Augustus and his family, as well as other important figures, participating in a religious procession
• The "Lupercal Panel" on the Ara Pacis shows the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, being suckled by the she-wolf
• The Gemma Augustea, a cameo cut from a double-layered onyx, features a complex allegorical scene celebrating Augustus's victories and his divine status
• The Boscoreale Cups, a pair of silver cups with relief decorations, depict scenes from the life of Augustus and serve as examples of luxury objects produced during this period

Symbolism and Propaganda

• Augustan sculptural programs made extensive use of symbolism and allegory to convey political messages and promote the emperor's agenda
• The oak wreath, a symbol of victory and honor, appears frequently in Augustan art and is often associated with the emperor himself
• The cornucopia, a symbol of abundance and prosperity, is another common motif in Augustan art, reflecting the peace and wealth brought about by Augustus's rule
• Mythological figures, such as Apollo and Venus, are often used in Augustan art to draw parallels between the emperor and the gods
• The personification of abstract concepts, such as Victory and Peace, is another common feature of Augustan art, serving to associate these ideals with the emperor and his reign
• The use of historical and mythological scenes in Augustan art serves to link the emperor's rule with the glorious past of Rome and to present him as the culmination of Roman history

Stylistic Innovations

• Augustan sculpture is characterized by a return to classical Greek models, particularly the works of the 5th and 4th centuries BCE
• Sculptors of the Augustan period sought to create idealized, harmonious figures that embodied the virtues and values of the Roman state
• Augustan sculpture often features a high degree of naturalism, with figures depicted in lifelike poses and with carefully rendered drapery
• The use of contrapposto, a pose in which the figure's weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a sense of dynamic balance, is a hallmark of Augustan sculpture
• Augustan sculptors also experimented with new techniques, such as the use of colored marble and the incorporation of precious materials like gold and ivory

Impact on Roman Art and Architecture

• The Augustan Artistic Revolution had a profound impact on the development of Roman art and architecture, setting the stage for the emergence of a distinctly Roman style
• The classicizing style and idealized forms of Augustan sculpture would continue to influence Roman art throughout the imperial period
• The use of sculpture as a means of political propaganda and the promotion of imperial ideology would become a hallmark of Roman art
• The architectural innovations of the Augustan period, such as the use of concrete and the development of the Roman arch, would have a lasting impact on the built environment of the Roman world
• The Augustan period saw the emergence of a new type of public space, the imperial forum, which would become a key feature of Roman cities throughout the empire

Legacy and Modern Interpretations

• The art and architecture of the Augustan period have had a lasting impact on Western culture, influencing artists and architects for centuries
• The classicizing style of Augustan sculpture would be revived during the Renaissance and would continue to inspire artists well into the modern era
• The use of art as a means of political propaganda, a key feature of Augustan art, has been adopted by governments and political leaders throughout history
• Modern scholars have sought to interpret Augustan art within the broader context of Roman history and culture, examining how it reflects the political, social, and religious values of the time
• The study of Augustan art has also shed light on the role of patronage in the creation of art and architecture, as well as the complex relationship between art and power in ancient Rome
• Contemporary artists have drawn inspiration from Augustan art, reinterpreting and reimagining its themes and motifs in new and innovative ways