ROMAN WALL ART

 

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SUNDAY Feature on ART of Architecture -by Gautam Shah 

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Roman wall art is traced, mainly through examples found in excavation at Roman City of Pompeii. The ‘Pompeii era’ is evidenced through the preserved examples of drawn art, architectural setting and socio-economic urban references. Such examples of Roman art activities can be observed from Hellenistic period (3^rd CBC), at places other than Pompeii.

Fresco and Encaustic Paintings rarely last, but burial under volcanic ash (70AD) preserved the drawn art, architecture and functional set up for several centuries. The art was August Mau, (19^th C) a German scholar, offered four styles classification for the wall painting.

The Roman wall paintings were true frescoes (or buon fresco), occasionally covered with wax (Encaustic) for local preservation of precious pigments or even entire surface. Once exposed to light and air, it faded significantly, except through transfer to Museums and documentation.

Romans Interiors were decorated with art works. The main intention of the wall art was of a make believe. Faux architectural scenes were framed in heavy architectonic elements. Depth in the scene was formed by axonometric or angular views. The vistas were at eye level, and composition had multiple levels diminution. Within the scenes, false doors, windows and openings were included, sometimes showing the view beyond in brighter colours. There was near absence of receding perspectives. Another popular tool was to exploit the colour contrast and juxtaposition of scaled objects.

Some of the large houses contained a picture gallery, known as the Pinacoteca, for the display of easel pictures. The scene contents were often contemporary as well as sensual. 

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MANUEL GARCÍA Y RODRÍGUEZ

 

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SUNDAY feature on ART of Architecture 

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Manuel García y Rodríguez (1863-1925) was Spanish artist. He received his early art education from José de la Vega Marrugal in Seville and later he attended the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Sevilla.

Rodríguez art related to Costumbrista (an art form that followed 19th C trend in literature, by Spanish painters that favoured nationalistic fervour). He also painted Orientalist scenes, and local landscapes.

Rodríguez was also a regular contributor of illustrations for the magazine ‘Blanco y Negro’. In later phase of life worked on painting gardens, patios and parks of Seville. It was in this period, he adopted more modernist and impressionist style.

 

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CHRISTEN KØBKE

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SUNDAY Feature on ART of Architecture -Gautam Shah

Christen Købke (1810-1848) was a Danish painter. He was the best-known painter of the Golden Age of Danish Painting. He began studying drawing at the Royal Danish Academy of Art.

Købke painted portraits, landscapes and architectural paintings. Most of Købke ’s portraits are of friends, family members and fellow artists. He found subjects from the immediate surroundings, such as local areas around the Citadel in Copenhagen. He painted many views overlooking the lake towards the city and the embankments surrounding the city. He has been called Master of Light and recognised for the Seductive Emptiness in the scapes.

Købke ’s architectural scenes in sketches and oil paintings are well composed with precision. He sketched many images in Italy (Rome, Naples, and Pompeii) and other places, but conversion to oil painting was not well appreciated. 

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