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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