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How do I find artwork from the time of Emperor Vespasian ?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:19 am
by Keisha
Hello I am a student in highschool and I am hoping to get an early start on a history project on the Emperors of Rome and the culture around then during there rule. My emperor is Vespasian and I am having trouble finding information on artwork created during his time and what the artwork says about Rome during his rule? I am not asking for easy answers, how ever I would appreciate any help or search ideas that this forum coulf provide me with ?

Thank you :wink:

PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 1:08 pm
by Primus Aurelius Timavus
Welcome to SVR, Keisha!

One easy way to get started collecting images of art from Vespasian's reign is through coins. There are hundreds of professional dealers and private collectors that post photographs of their coins on the Web. One example is http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/vespasian/t.html, but you can just search for Vespasian AND coins to find more.

Studying coins has the advantage of teaching one about the political, social, and cultural context in which they were issued. Thus they can help answer your question about what art says about Rome at the time it was created.

Tergestus

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2003 11:19 am
by Horatius Piscinus
Salva sis Keisha

I am surprised and somewhat disappointed that we could not lend you more assistance. Sorry, but this would not be my area of knowledge either. The Colleseum and the Capitolium were constructed under Vespasian, and both decorated with many statues. And in painting, of the four recognized styles the lthird style I think would coincide with Vespasian's reign, so some research into Pompeii might give you more information. Pliny the Elder has a brief history on roman painting in his Natural History. I will check there to see if I can turn up something for you.

Vale optime
Moravius Piscinus

PS. good choice btw, Vespasian is my favorite emperor.