Exhibition Themes
The exhibition examines the manifestations of Roman public and private life through an exploration of several themes, including religion, urbanism, war, imperial expansion, funerary practices, intellectual life, and family. Roman Art from the Louvre shows the full range of Roman artistry and taste, juxtaposing "official" art with more modest, private works.
Roman Art from the Louvre traces the genealogy of the four main Roman dynasties including the Julio-Claudians, the Antonines, the Severans, and the family of Constantine, through an examination of works made between the first century B.C. and the early fourth century A.D. These works illustrate the evolution of aesthetics, as well as the changing social influences under the Roman emperors, who exerted both secular and religious powers.
The diverse artistic influences from the various far-flung regions of the empire are presented in the first section, "Introduction to Rome and Its Empire." Among the items shown are contemporary renderings of ancient Roman cities, monuments, and landscapes-among them, the Forum of Trajan and the villa Hadriana-by J. C. Golvin, a draftsman and archaeologist noted for his stunning recreations of ancient sites.
Featuring portraits of the emperors Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, Septimus Severus, and Maxentius, the large section titled "The Emperor and His Surroundings" focuses on the evolution of taste, aesthetics, and society under the Roman emperors. The ways in which the political and economic powers of the emperors influenced art production across four dynasties are evident in artworks ranging from life-sized marble statues and portrait busts to small bronze figurines.
Roman Art from the Louvre also examines the concept of civitas, or citizenship, and its ramifications, and includes a section devoted to non-citizens of Rome: foreigners, freedmen, and slaves. A rich grouping of stelae, friezes, and lamps depicting these heroic figures is a component of this section as is a varied selection of ceramics and mosaics, included to illustrate production techniques and to represent the working conditions of servants, peasants, slaves, harvesters, craftsmen, and tradesmen.
The portrait busts of anonymous men, women, and children featured in "The Roman Citizen" reveal the styles and fashions popular during the Roman Empire. Clothing, hairstyles, jewelry and other accessories, perfume bottles, and cosmetics are examined within the greater context of the role of women in the Roman Empire. Other topics addressed include the art of Roman portraiture, the Boscoreale treasure, Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli, and the Maritime Theater.
"Religion and Death" is the final section of the exhibition. Encompassing official religion, private cults, and magic and the cult of mystery, religion had a complex and important role in imperial Rome. The importance to the Roman people of being remembered after death and reminded of the dead is illustrated through a selection of extraordinary monuments with inscriptions, names, and images of the dead. Among the many highlights of the exhibition are busts of prominent Roman leaders, including Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, and Agrippa; statues of Isis, Venus, Minerva, and Bacchus; early depictions of theatrical scenes, portraits of actors, and theatrical masks; military diplomas and army medallions; sarcophagi, urns, and related ritual objects; imperial rings, necklaces, and earrings; household objects; and relief sculptures depicting scenes from Tivoli.