define propaganda
DESCRIPTION
DEFINE PROPAGANDA. What is the propagandistic message of this artwork? How is this message visually communicated. Roman Government and Art Context Review. Appropriation: “Captive Greece made Rome Captive” Pragmatism: Where the greatest good and popular opinion established the standard of art - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
DEFINE PROPAGANDA
What is the propagandistic message of this artwork? How is this message visually communicated
Roman Government and Art Context Review
Appropriation: “Captive Greece made Rome Captive”Pragmatism: Where the greatest good and popular opinion
established the standard of artPropaganda: Power and authority of the Republican and
Imperial rulers / empiresUtilitarianism: engineering, road building, public works to
manage government and EmpireEclecticism: A tolerant and open-minded approach to
differencesEngineering: New technological innovations in building
including arch, vault, dome and concrete
Four Roman Contributions to Architecture
Building for use – a shift from religious building to engineering for practical/public use, problems and entertainment
Developing the arch and vault – increase in scaleEmphasis in verticality – made possible by use of
concrete, multi-use facilities like the forum market place
Design of significant interiors – Romans treated the play between light and space as significant architectural elements
THE MANY USES OF THE ARCH
DomeCross VaultArch Barrel Vault
The PantheonWhat are the facts? (F)Architect: NAPatron: Emperor HadrianTitle: The PantheonDate: 120 CEPeriod/Style: High EmpireSize: MonumentalFindspot: Rome
There is very little ancient commentary on the Pantheon
No one knows who designed it or why Hadian had the bronze lettering placed on it recognizing Agrippa as the builder of an earlier temple on the site
No one knows what sculptural work actually filled the niches – usually assigned to planetary deities
Pediment sculptures are completely lost and we don’t know what the forecourt looked like or how it affected how people approached the building
We do not know the exact function of the building
This building is nearly 2,000 years old and has gone through significant changes. What types of changes do you think occurred to the building that have stripped it from its original context?
It became Santa Maria della Rotund in 609 CE. Scultpures of the new faith replaced the old
The Pantheon: Group Discussion 5 Minutes
Group 1: Discuss questions 1, 2 and 3Group 2: Discuss questions 4 and 5Group 3: Discuss questions 6 and 7
Who was Hadrian? Chosen successor of Trajan
A fellow Spaniard
Lover or art
Traveled to Greece – his portrait is reminiscent of Pericles – a classical depiction of a mature bearded man
We see his interest of Greek architecture reflected in the Pantheon but also a departure
What type of floor plan is the Pantheon
CENTRALIZED – based upon the circle
Single, unified and uninterrupted space with niches for sculpture
This type of plan was not new to Romans – it was used for their public baths and Nero’s Golden house
The proprtions of the Pantheon are “harmonic” – echoing Plato’s idea of the harmony of the universe
Niche
What is the structure or engineering system?
1. A poured concrete rotunda
2. Based upon intersection of a vertical and horizontal circle
3. A drum and dome supported by relieving arches imbedded in thick walls serving as a buttressing system
4. Weight lessened by the coffers and decreasing size of the dome shell as it rises
THE MANY USES OF THE ARCH
DomeCross VaultArch Barrel Vault
How did one enter the building?
A colonnaded courtyard would have led the Romans into the portico, from which the ascended steps into the once elevated building
Describe the interior space
The vast interior space can be imagined as the orb of the earth and the dome as the vault of the heavens
Divided into 3 levels:
1st level is defined by columns and niches – vertical columns fasten us to the ground
2nd level is the drum – it’s solidity upholds the dome of the heavens. Square windows lessen it’s solidity
3rd level the dome and oculus – the coffered pattern, decreasing in size, leads the eye to the oculus which lets in dramatic light. The decreasing size also make the dome feel lighter
The floor is patterned with squares. The overall scheme is a harmonious integration of circles and squares
How is the interior embellished or decorated?Marble interior. Exterior
rotunda originally covered in marble
Bronze stars would have originally adorned each coffer – likening it to a heavenly sky
The lighting from the oculus, which would have illuminated the the 7 planetary deities like a heavenly searchlight adds a dramatic flare that embellishes interior space
How does one move around the interior space
CIRCUMBULATION: Circulate the vast interior space – niche to niche
Uninterrupted circular path is a Roman invention
Circular shape and use of natural light from the open oculus Encloses people without imprisoning them
What is the function of this building? How do the visual qualities convey
this function?RELIGIOUS FUNCTION: The universal sphere (the earth) is connected to the cosmos beyond by a perfect circular oculus Dome is an image of the cosmos for contemplation. IDEAL WORLD ORDER: Organized, unified and harmonious like government
GOVERNMENT FUNCTION: Space for Roman Senate Meeting – symbolic of meeting in harmony. Emporer would have ruled religion and state. It is suggested that the portico would have had a sculpture of Augustus and the interior sculpture would have included a statues of Julius Caesar
HW QUESTIONSWHY IS THE WORK SIGNIFICANT – HOW
DOES IT SPEAK FOR IT’S TIME / GENERATION?
In what way do the visual qualities of the building reflect the culture’s social, religious and /or political values of the time, or the chief concerns of this time?