Beginning my endeavors into Greek v/s Roman art I thought, “what’s the difference?” It didn’t take long to see just what the differences were. The fundamental values of Western Civilization: humanism, individualism and human dignity were inherited from Greece.

One of the most important characteristics of Roman civilization were its abilities to gather alien influences and to put them all into one unified culture. True one of the most determining influences was the Greek, still the artwork from Rome show some very original aspects.

The Greeks’ point of view of the world is definitely anthropocentric: their gods are men and their art centers on the contemplation of man. The Greeks’ introduced techniques like foreshortening and the use of depth whereas before people were distorted and portrayed in excessive geometric patterns. Causing the human body to be reduced to arches circles and triangles. Portraits made on an easel are introduced during the Hellenistic period. Paintings represent people as they are.

Foreshortening, perfectly mastered by then, is used to express depth light, expressed as reflection and contrast, shows volume. Mainly, two techniques are used to paint encaustic and tempera. Glazing is discovered and it enhances the glow of colors.

Large eyes characterized Roman portraits. The most commonly found themes are of mythological figures. Romans also developed decorative mosaic art used to cover floors. They often combined semiprecious stones with common ones.

Early Greek sculptures were made of Melted metal and mostly stone. Men (Kuroi) are nude and women (Korai) are clothed. Faces usually show high cheekbones, long and meticulously curled hair. They stand with left foot ahead in the frontal position. With free spaces between the legs, arms and body.

Roman art particularly sculptures had a very public purpose. To make known the Roman heroes and historic events which made Rome famous. Realism is its main quality. Even in the stories depicted on memorial columns, each character has individual features and facial expressions.

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