Rome: the Painting of an Empire

Dates: 24 Sep 09 - 17 Jun 10
Categories: Curious
Address: via XXIV Maggio, 16 Rome 00187
Tel: +39 (0)6 696 271 Website

The Roman tradition of painting is explored is this comprehensive display which features about 100 works dating from the first century BC to the fifth century AD—from 49 BC when Caesar emerged as the absolute ruler of Rome to the period after the death of the last emperor of the Eastern and Western Empire, Theodosius I. The display includes unprecedented loans from major encyclopaedic and archaeological collections in Italy, Germany, Egypt, Switzerland and the UK. Curated by Eugenio La Rocca, Serena Ensoli and Stefano Tortorella, the show aims to dispel the myth that Roman painting is merely a continuation of the Greek tradition by showing that it is innovative and wholly unique to its culture. It also illustrates the continuity of the Roman tradition from the Renaissance onwards, by showing how ancient Roman works influenced artists such as Raphael. As time has largely washed the paint from the remains of ancient Rome, we tend to forget that it was once a colourful metropolis. Frescos, mosaics and paintings on clay, wood and glass have been assembled to show the vibrancy of the Empire. The show is organised into five sections: “Light and Shade”, “Deceptive Walls”, “Ancient Pinacothèques”, “The City Speaks” and “From the Rediscovery of the Domus Aurea to the Grotesque”. These sections show landscapes, portraits, mythological scenes, still-lifes, stage décor, erotic images and scenes of daily life originally found in shops as well as wealthy and more modest residences. The paintings are displayed in rooms designed by theatre and opera designer Luca Ronconi. E.S.

Mummy portrait of a young woman on wood, Egyptian, 100-130 AD