"How To Read A Roman Portrait" Review
Submitted by FFE on 07/10/2008 11:53 PM
- Category: American History
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"How To Read A Roman Portrait" Review
c"How to Read A Roman Portrait" Review
"How to Read A Roman Portrait" is an expository article which, in Nodelman's own words, "seeks to identify the defining characteristics and the mode of operation" of Roman portraiture. The article enlightens readers about the intricacies and details of many famous works of Roman art, and then uses the newly acquired information to explain how to read a portrait. Nodelman's goal is to increase the reader's knowledge and understanding of Roman art; he also desires the reader to view Roman art as distinct from its equally famous Grecian forerunners.
One of the ways Nodelman believes one can read a Roman portrait is that it is likely to be "strikingly realistic"; however, he points out that this a universally known fact and believes the realism of Roman art to be an inadequate description of it overall.
Instead, Nodelman describes Roman portraiture as a "system of signs", and claims Roman portraits have two purposes: (1), to grab the observer's attention and pique his interest; and (2), to project a message through the portrait. Evidences of these purposes are seen in the portraits of the conservative aristocrats, which are often of elderly politicians with grim and sometimes bitter expressions, and contrastingly, those of noble young emperors and heroes, such as Augustus. Both styles, however different, certainly command attention from the viewer and both deliver messages, or have intrinsic meaning.
According to Nodelman, Roman portraits are openly "aware" of spectators; that is, they are self-conscious in their stances. He believes that no other portraits possess this quality, nor do they capture the "essence of humanity". Roman portraits seem to allow the observer a small glimpse into their personality, and also communicate a sense of vulnerability as well as a sense of immortality. However, Nodelman says in his article that the most important aspect of Roman portraits is their...
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