Roman portraiture

unusual realism and the desire to convey images of nature in the high quality style

-Influenced by Etruscans and Greeks

-Portrait sculpture from the Republican era tends to be more modest, realistic, and natural

-Augustus: portraits in how he wanted to look

-Tiberius: closely modeled on those of Augustus, unmistakably depict a member of same imperial family

-Claudius as Jupiter: depicted as youth, best portraits of him in guise of Jupiter with god’s eagle

-Nero latest portraits: sensuousness and realistic depiction of textures of flesh and hair

-Galba: depicted as older man, tough look that invoked values of Roman Republic

-Vitellius: combines military style of Galba

-Occasionally portrayed bearded

-The victor, Vespasian, founded a new dynasty, and the Flavians ruled the Roman Empire for a quarter century

• -Vespasian revived the veristic imagery of the Republic, depicting him as an older man
• with deep lines and a balding head

-Vespasian was anti-Nero

-Vitellius: depicted in statues as commander of army

-Titus : depicted as man 40 years and slightly resembling his father as intended

-Caligula: represent him as a young man, none give a hint of his reputed mental instability

-Flavian Women: preferred to be represented as young and beautiful, portrait notable for elegance; embraced Republican values

-Flavian Venus: older face on young perfect body

• -Agrippina the Elder: example of preservation place the portrait in a class, perfectly
• proportioned girlish face, even though older

-Augustus, with the gods, Chariots, Battles

-In villas or forums for people to see

-Entrance halls of houses reveal about family’s history & social & political position

-In tombs for personal comfort