Abstract Art's Beginning In Ancient Rome

The (Actually Modern) Ancient Romans

When I think of modern art and abstract art, I think of my dad. He has been painting for many years and he primarily paints abstract. Earth is surrounded by many different forms of art that have evolved from the beginning of time. Perhaps the most notable time period for the first human expressions in the form of art was the Classical Era of Greeks and Romans. The very essence of what most art is today has come from these not-so-humble beginnings in Classical Europe.

My process to explore the influence of Roman art on abstract styles began with my father's project for our living room. An intricate two frame painting that took us two months to complete. Here is one of them (pictured).

Much of abstract art simply relies on a connection with the viewer. Underneath the many layers of paint, and intricately woven within is the artists true purpose for the piece. All art forms have a purpose. History of Art explains, "Roman paintings and sculptures continued to imitate the Greek style, except that its main purpose was the glorification of Rome's power and majesty." While perhaps not the same exactly, abstract art's main purpose is the glorification of creativity and the artist's independence.

Roman art, while mainly for functional purposes, had the same goal of a connection to the viewer. For example, many of the arches and bridges built were the product of ingenuity and creativity on the part of architects (who I'd consider to be artists). These pieces of art had an effect on the citizens of the Roman Empire, just as they do the citizens of individual countries in Europe to this day.

Comparatively, abstract art grew from a negative Roman influence. R. A. Guisepe explains, "The Romans art was used not so much for the expression of great and noble ideas and emotions as for decoration and ostentation. As art became fashionable, it lost much of its spiritual quality." In other words, a need for more introspective and personally charged pieces of art came about from the more glamorous and showy artworks of the Roman Empire. Abstract art came from the lack of expression in Roman artwork and the artwork that was influenced by ancient Rome.


I collected a variety of print sources (paintings, mosaics, inscriptions of Ancient Rome etc.) to complete this painting, as shown below.

Art has been a source for people of all cultures and backgrounds to connect, as art has no definable boundaries or limits. Abstract art especially has a unique ability to convey the artists' intentions with a variety of colors, shapes, and styles combined into one piece. The painting above is just one of hundreds my father has completed, but this one is special because we completed it together; a combination of two people's thoughts, actions and knowledge.

Bibliography: 

Guisepe, A. R. "GREEK AND ROMAN ART." GREEK AND ROMAN ART. History-world.org, n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

György Kepes, Sign, Symbol and Image. Print.

Various. "History of Art Origins and Evolution of Visual Arts." History of Art: Origins, Evolution of Visual Arts. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

Stangos, Nikos (editor) (1981). Concepts of Modern Art. Print. Thames and Hudson.

Gooding, Mel (2001). Abstract Art (Movements in Modern Art series). Tate Publishing.