Italy and Roman Provinces B

Teacher(s)

Cavalieri Marco; Tomassini Paolo (compensates Cavalieri Marco);

Language

French

Prerequisites

/

Main themes

The course discusses problematic issues and specific problems of interpretation in relation with use of archaeological sources for the reconstruction of social and political relations of Rome, since its fundation (8th century BC) up to the High Middle Age, Italy and Roman provinces. Especially considered are elements of urbanism, architecture and construction techniques in order to define a scheme of the Roman way of life throughout the ages.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Advanced course for archaeologists specializing in Roman archaeology both of Italy, the center of power, and the provinces of the Empire. The aim is to develop a critical sense and apply methods of analysis of art (painting, sculpture and architecture) and material culture of this millennium long civilization reluctant of all standardized analytical approach. Use of theoretical and anthropological concepts in archaeological interpretation as well of literary and epigraphical sources of Latin Antiquity.

Content

The theme chosen for the 2020-2021 academic year is:
"Roman wall painting - image and technique, decoration and people"
This course aims to analyse how people, pictures, technique and materials spread in the Roman world, ensuring that a great diversity of cultures in the Mediterranean and Western Europe could, at a given moment in their history, share common languages ​​and values.
To achieve this, the course will focus on ancient wall painting. Wall painting is undoubtedly the most widely used form of decoration in Antiquity. We find them at all levels of Roman society, in all types of spaces (domestic, public, religious, commercial ...), in all chronological periods and in all regions where Roman culture has spread. The paintings therefore offer a privileged angle of approach to study not only the history of art and techniques but also society, the status of the image, spaces, craftsmen, and patrons of the Roman era.
The course examines Roman mural painting from different angles, not only focusing on the evolution of taste and style in the Roman world, but also looking at the materiality of the  production, the trade in pigments in Antiquity, the techniques for producing mortars and pigments… This approach is called “toichographology”, which is the integrated archaeological study of ancient painting, combining art history with archaeology, archaeometry, building archaeology and digital archaeology.

Teaching methods

A combination of ex-cathedra lessons by the teacher or invited speakers and seminars.
The sessions can will be prepared by the students on the basis of one or more articles of which the list is given at the beginning of the year.
The students are also invited to participate actively in certain sessions which may take the forms of seminars.

Evaluation methods

Written examination.

Online resources

Pdf of Course and bibliography.

Bibliography

BALDASSARRE I., PONTRANDOLFO A., ROUVERET A. et SALVADORI M., 2002. La peinture romaine, Milan.
BARBET A., 2009. La peinture murale romaine. Les styles décoratifs pompéiens, 2e édition revue et corrigée, Paris.
ALLAG C. et BARBET A., 1972. Techniques de préparation des parois dans la peinture murale Romaine, MEFRA, 84, 2, p. 935-1070.
BARBET A., 1996. La peinture romaine : du peintre au restaurateur, Saint-Savin.

Faculty or entity

EHAC