Greek art often included mythological themes.
Greek and Roman art will be forever intertwined because of the history of the two ancient civilizations. Some have gone so far as to say that nothing in the world exists that wasn't influenced by Greece. Rome was no exception. Early art historians believed the Greeks perfected the human form in art and the Romans only copied them. However, modern historians now look at Roman art with fresher eyes and see that at least some of Roman art developed in its own right.
Time Frame
Greek art history goes back until about the 8th century B.C. It went through four phases: Geometric, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic. Greek and Roman art overlap at the Hellenistic period, which started in Greece at about 330 B.C. Around 500 B.C., the Roman Republic was officially established. Greek art began to influence Roman art beginning in 146 B.C., when Rome conquered Greece. According to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee website, it is often difficult to distinguish between what is "Hellenistic works, Roman copies of Greek works, and Roman originals".
Early Art
Greek art, unlike Roman art, went through an almost primitive period during the Geometric period, circa 8th century. The figures were stylized, geometric shapes. When the human form was introduced, it was rendered as a stick figure. However, because the Romans were influenced by the Greeks and the Etruscans and could copy the techniques of those civilizations, Roman art is realistic as opposed to primitive.
Features
Despite similarities in Greek and Roman art, there are some tale-tale signs that mark differences between the art of the two civilizations, according to Mark Hudson, an art history professor at Palomar College. Known Greek painting is rendered in black and red on figured vases and features themes such as mythology, daily life and athletics. While the Romans on the other hand, also painted about mythology, their paintings featured architectural scenes and nature. Their paintings were also more naturalistic and had the illusion of depth. In terms of sculpture, both civilizations have achieved a degree of realism in the way that they portrayed the human form. However, the Romans leaned toward the natural, the Greeks toward the ideal.
Significance
The frescos and murals on the walls of Pompeii and Herculaneum have given art historians clues as to what Roman paintings must have looked like.
Although Roman art was greatly impacted by both the Greeks and its early predecessors in Italy, the Etruscans, Roman art formed in its own right. Greece was systematically pillaged by Roman generals starting in the second century, which brought Greek art to Rome. These masterpieces were highly prized and copied by the Romans. However, the Romans did set themselves apart as painters and in particular, portrait painters.
Considerations
Neither Greek nor Roman paintings survived the centuries. However, because of a twist of fate, historians have some understanding of what Roman paintings were like. The frescos and murals of Pompeii and Herculaneum buried for centuries under the ash of the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.., often still reveal the richness of color and powerful artistic techniques of the Romans.
