The Artists of the Ara Pacis: The Process of Hellenization in Roman Relief Sculpture (Studies in the History of Greece and Rome) - Softcover

Conlin, Diane Atnally

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0807823430 ISBN 13: 9780807823439

Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press, 1997

Synopsis

The Ara Pacis Augustae, or Altar of Augustan Peace, was built to commemorate the return to Rome of the emperor Augustus and his general Agrippa, who had been away for many years on military campaigns. Dedicated in 9 BC, the monument consists of an altar and surrounding wall, both decorated with a series of processional friezes. Art historians and archaeologists have made the Ara Pacis one of the best-known, most studied monuments of Augustan Rome, and this book reassesses the artistic traditions in which its sculptors worked. Illustrated with over 250 photographs, Conlin's analysis demonstrates that the carvers of the monument's large processional friezes were not Greek masters, as previously assumed, but Italian trained sculptors influenced by both native and Hellenic stonecarving practices. Her systematic examination of the physical evidence left by the sculptors themselves - the traces of tool marks, the carving of specific details, the compositional formulas of the friezes - also incorporates an informed understanding of the historical context in which these artists worked.

About this title

Review

The quality of Conlin s observations is outstanding, and much will be of great assistance to students of [Roman] stone-carving."Times Literary Supplement" [A]ctually "demonstrates" what has only before been "assumed"."Bryn Mawr Classical Review" The quality of Conlin 's observations is outstanding, and much will be of great assistance to students of [Roman] stone-carving."Times Literary Supplement" The quality of Conlin_s observations is outstanding, and much will be of great assistance to students of [Roman] stone-carving."Times Literary Supplement" The quality of Conlina[s observations is outstanding, and much will be of great assistance to students of [Roman] stone-carving."Times Literary Supplement" The quality of Conlins observations is outstanding, and much will be of great assistance to students of YRoman stone-carving."Times Literary Supplement" YActually "demonstrates" what has only before been "assumed.""Bryn Mawr Classical Review" This lavishly illustrated study represents an important contribution to our understanding of the production of Roman sculpture."American Journal of Archaeology" An important and intelligent contribution to our knowledge about the Ara Pacis and the practice of Roman sculptors in general. "Classical Journal" "The quality of ConlinUs observations is outstanding, and much will be of great assistance to students of [Roman] stone-carving."Times Literary Supplement"" Conlin repeatedly demonstrates how a fresh approach can tease new meanings from even an exhaustively studied monument. ."Classical World"

About the Author

Diane Atnally Conlin received her Ph.D. in classical art and archaeology from the University of Michigan. A fellow of the American Academy in Rome, she has taught Roman art and archaeology at the University of Michigan.

Edition details

• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807823430
• ISBN 13: 9780807823439
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 360