Ancient Rome (painting)

Ancient Roman painting encompasses a wide variety of styles, techniques, and subject matter produced in Rome and across its empire, from the Republican period (c. 509 BCE - 27 BCE) through Late Antiquity (c. 5th century CE). Surviving examples consist primarily of wall paintings (frescoes) from domestic settings, particularly in Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. These paintings offer a valuable, though geographically limited, glimpse into Roman artistic practices.

Painting served various functions in Roman society. Wall paintings often decorated private homes, aiming to create illusions of space, display wealth and status, and provide visual narratives. Common subjects included mythological scenes, landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and scenes from everyday life. Painters employed a range of techniques, including fresco (painting on wet plaster) and encaustic (using pigments mixed with wax).

Beyond wall paintings, other forms of Roman painting included panel paintings (portable paintings on wood or other materials), although few examples have survived. Literary sources suggest the existence of important Roman painters, such as Apelles, though their works are now lost. Roman painting also influenced the development of mosaic art, which used small colored tiles to create intricate designs and images.

The styles of Roman painting evolved over time. Distinct phases or "styles" are often identified in Pompeian frescoes, including the First Style (incrustation), Second Style (architectural), Third Style (ornamental), and Fourth Style (intricate). These styles reflect changing tastes and influences, including Greek art. After the eruption of Vesuvius, Roman painting continued to develop, with new trends and influences emerging, particularly during the later Roman Empire. The decline of the Roman Empire led to a gradual decline in artistic production, although Roman artistic traditions continued to influence early Christian art.