Rome: The Painting of an Empire

The city of Rome has always inspired artists. Its streets, buildings, and bridges have been depicted in countless works of art, even in musical pieces.

Romes splendor was already evident during the 1st century BC, and today some of the most magnificent paintings depicting Romes splendor during this period are on exhibit in the heart of the city.

Serena Ensoli
Exhibit Commissioner

Its the first time an exhibit on Roman painting is shown. It points out the evolution of art in the domus of antiquity through an exquisite selection of art, here in Rome but also in Italy and the rest of the world.

The Louvre Museum in Paris, the British Museum in London, and Munichs archaeological museum have temporarily given some of these pieces for the exhibit. Thats why its an event thats difficult to repeat.

The exhibit is made up of frescoes, portraits on wood, and objects that decorated the Roman domus. Each one particular for the beauty depicted in every brush stroke. These pieces used to decorate the everyday lives of the most powerful people in Rome. Today their value is incalculable.

Serena Ensoli
Exhibit Commissioner

We have very valuable paintings, like the representation of Perseus and Andromeda, later used in a Christian context. Its the continuative tradition of pictorial art.

Years later, Christian artists would use this to help understand their new religion. Andromeda, for example, would represent human being saved by Jesus Christ.

This continuative tradition shows how art adapts to the culture of the moment: aspects of the past modified with artistic tendencies.

Rome, The Painting of an Empire, reflects the Eternal citys rich history along with the roots of Western art.

BR/RS

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