Materiality in Roman Art and Architecture: Aesthetics, Semantics and Function

book: Materiality in Roman Art and Architecture

Open Access Published by De Gruyter 2022

Materiality in Roman Art and Architecture

Aesthetics, Semantics and Function

Edited by: Annette Haug , Adrian Hielscher and M. Taylor Lauritsen
Funded by: European Research Council (ERC)

Volume 3 in the series Decorative Principles in Late Republican and Early Imperial Italy (Decor)

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110764734

Overview
Contents

About this book

Open Access

The focus of this volume is on the aesthetics, semantics and function of materials in Roman antiquity between the 2nd century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D. It includes contributions on both architectural spaces (and their material design) and objects – types of 'artefacts' that differ greatly in the way they were used, perceived and loaded with cultural significance. With respect to architecture, the analysis of material aesthetics leads to a new understanding of the performance, imitation and transformation of surfaces, including the social meaning of such strategies. In the case of objects, surface treatments are equally important. However, object form (a specific design category), which can enter into tension with materiality, comes into particular focus. Only when materials are shaped do their various qualities emerge, and these qualities are, to a greater or lesser extent, transferred to objects. With a focus primarily on Roman Italy, the papers in this volume underscore the importance of material design and highlight the awareness of this matter in the ancient world.

Author / Editor information

Annette Haug and M. Taylor Lauritsen, Kiel University, Germany; Adrian Hielscher, LMU Munich, Germany.

Topics

Frontmatter Open Access Download PDF	I
Preface Open Access Download PDF	V
Table of Contents Open Access Download PDF	VII
Introduction
Materiality as Decor: Aesthetics, Semantics and Function Annette Haug and Adrian Hielscher Open Access Download PDF	1
Surface Matters: ‘True’ and ‘False’ Gloss in Architecture Monika Wagner Open Access Download PDF	25
Ethical Matters: Pliny the Elder on Material Deception Anna Anguissola Open Access Download PDF	39
Materiality of Architecture: Aesthetics
The Humble Material: Masonry and Meaning in Roman Architecture Tobias Busen Open Access Download PDF	53
Marble Wall Revetment in Central Italy during the First Century A.D.: Aesthetics and Decorative Effects Simon Barker Open Access Download PDF	67
Use, Aesthetics and Semantics of Coloured Marble Columns in the Western Mediterranean during the Late Republic and Early Roman Empire Dennis Beck Open Access Download PDF	94
Hard as Rock and Light as Air: Stucco Ceilings in Roman Domestic Space Jessica Plant Open Access Download PDF	112
Diverging Trends in the Visual Appearance of Fired Clay in Roman Architecture: ‘Campana Plaques’ and Terracotta Façades Arne Reinhardt Open Access Download PDF	130
Materiality of Architecture: Semantics
The Meaning of Building Materials in Late Republican Architecture: Moving from Semantics to Pragmatics Dominik Maschek Open Access Download PDF	150
Travertine in Rome: Its Style and Meaning Matthias Grawehr Open Access Download PDF	162
Materiality of Objects
Four-Legged Marble Tables (mensae) in Pompeian Houses: The Intersection of Function, Aesthetics and Semantics Adrian Hielscher Open Access Download PDF	182
Materiality and Object Design and Function: Perspectives from Artefacts Ellen Swift Open Access Download PDF	202
Non Arte, Sed Naturae? Remarks on Roman Cameos and their Visual Effects Jörn Lang Open Access Download PDF	222
Roman Basket Urns as Elements in a Transmaterial Design System Benjamin Engels Open Access Download PDF	244
An Age of Intermateriality: Skeuomorphism and Intermateriality Between the Late Republic and Early Empire Manuel Flecker Open Access Download PDF	264
Author Biographies Open Access Download PDF	283

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Pages
- Front matter: 8
- Main content: 286
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 27
- Coloured Illustrations: 84
- Tables: 1
Keywords: Materiality; Roman architecture; decor and decoration; object design

eBook

Published: December 31, 2021
ISBN: 9783110764734

Hardcover

Published: January 4, 2022
ISBN: 9783110762907