Ancient Portraiture and Biography

Unit 1 – Ancient Portraiture & Biography Intro

Unit 2 – Egyptian Portraiture: Royal & Private

Unit 3 – Near Eastern Portraits: Mesopotamia & Persia

Unit 4 – Greek Portraiture: Archaic & Classical

Unit 5 – Hellenistic Portraiture: New Styles & Impact

Unit 6 – Roman Portraiture: Verism and Realism

Unit 7 – Roman Portraits: Augustus to Severans

Unit 8 – Roman Provincial Portraits: Egypt to Europe

Unit 9 – Greek and Roman Biographical Literature

Unit 10 – Plutarch: Greek & Roman Lives Compared

Unit 11 – Imperial Biographies: Suetonius

Unit 12 – Numismatic Portraits: Coins and Medals

Unit 13 – Funerary Portraits: Ancient Egyptian Memorials

Unit 14 – Portraiture & Biography in Ancient History

## What do you learn in Ancient Portraiture and Biography

Ancient Portraiture and Biography explores how people were depicted in art throughout ancient civilizations. You'll study sculptures, paintings, and coins from Greece, Rome, and Egypt, analyzing how artists captured personalities and social status. The course covers techniques used in portraiture, the role of biography in art, and how these images shaped historical narratives.

## Is Ancient Portraiture and Biography hard?

It's not the easiest class, but it's definitely manageable. The trickiest part is memorizing all the different art pieces and their historical contexts. You'll need to develop a good eye for visual analysis and get comfortable with art history jargon. But if you're into ancient cultures and enjoy looking at art, you'll probably find it pretty interesting and not too brutal.

## Tips for taking Ancient Portraiture and Biography in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Create flashcards with images of key artworks and their details
3. Practice describing portraits out loud to improve your visual analysis skills
4. Form a study group to discuss and compare different interpretations of artworks
5. Visit local museums to see ancient portraits in person, if possible
6. Watch "The Roman Empire in Color" documentary for context on Roman portraiture
7. Read "The Emergence of the Classical Style in Greek Sculpture" by Richard Neer for deeper insights

## Common pre-requisites for Ancient Portraiture and Biography

1. Introduction to Art History: This course provides a broad overview of art from prehistoric times to the present. It introduces key concepts and terminology used in art analysis.

2. Ancient Greek and Roman Art: This class focuses on the artistic traditions of ancient Greece and Rome. It covers architecture, sculpture, and painting from these influential civilizations.

## Classes similar to Ancient Portraiture and Biography

1. Medieval Art and Iconography: Explores artistic traditions from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance. You'll study religious imagery, manuscript illumination, and the symbolism in medieval art.

2. Renaissance Portraiture: Focuses on the revival of portraiture during the Italian Renaissance. You'll examine works by masters like Leonardo da Vinci and learn about humanist ideals in art.

3. History of Photography: Traces the development of photography as an art form. You'll study early photographic portraits and how they relate to painted portraiture traditions.

4. Egyptian Art and Archaeology: Delves into the art and material culture of ancient Egypt. You'll explore tomb paintings, royal portraits, and the role of art in Egyptian religion and politics.

## Majors related to Ancient Portraiture and Biography

1. Art History: Focuses on the study of visual arts throughout history. Students learn to analyze, interpret, and contextualize artworks from various cultures and time periods.

2. Classical Studies: Examines the languages, literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the classical world and its lasting influence.

3. Archaeology: Involves the study of human history through the excavation and analysis of artifacts and physical remains. Students learn field techniques and how to interpret material culture.

4. Museum Studies: Prepares students for careers in museums and cultural institutions. The program covers collection management, exhibition design, and the role of museums in society.

## What can you do with a degree in Ancient Portraiture and Biography?

1. Museum Curator: Organizes and manages museum collections, plans exhibitions, and conducts research. Curators often specialize in specific time periods or types of art.

2. Art Conservator: Works to preserve and restore artworks and historical artifacts. Conservators use scientific techniques to analyze materials and prevent deterioration.

3. Art Appraiser: Evaluates the authenticity and value of artworks for auction houses, insurance companies, or private collectors. Appraisers need extensive knowledge of art history and market trends.

4. Cultural Heritage Manager: Oversees the preservation and promotion of historical sites and artifacts. This role involves working with local communities and government agencies to protect cultural heritage.

## Ancient Portraiture and Biography FAQs

1. How much writing is involved in this course? Expect to write several short papers analyzing specific artworks and one longer research paper. You'll also have essay questions on exams that test your ability to compare and contrast different portraits.

2. Are there any field trips in this class? Some professors organize optional visits to nearby museums with relevant collections. These trips can be super helpful for seeing the artworks up close and in person.

3. How does this course relate to modern portraiture? While the focus is on ancient art, you'll learn about techniques and concepts that still influence portrait artists today. The class might briefly touch on how ancient portraiture traditions have been reinterpreted in modern and contemporary art.

Art History

1.1 Defining portraiture and biography in ancient contexts

1.2 Functions and purposes of ancient portraiture

1.3 Relationship between visual and textual representations

1.4 Methods and materials in ancient portraiture

2.1 Royal portraiture in Ancient Egypt: Conventions and symbolism

2.2 Private portraiture: Elite and non-elite representations

2.3 Evolution of Egyptian portraiture across dynasties

3.1 Mesopotamian royal imagery and iconography

3.3 Cultural exchanges and influences in Near Eastern art

3.2 Persian imperial portraiture and propaganda

4.1 Archaic kouros and kore figures

4.2 Classical Greek idealism and naturalism

4.3 Portraits of philosophers, statesmen, and athletes

5.1 Psychological realism in Hellenistic portraiture

5.2 Royal portraiture of the Hellenistic kingdoms

5.3 Influence of Hellenistic style on later portraiture

6.1 Ancestor worship and the Roman portrait tradition

6.3 Political use of portraiture in the Late Republic

6.2 Veristic portraiture: Style and cultural significance

7.1 Augustan portraiture and imperial propaganda

7.2 Dynastic portraiture and imperial succession

7.3 Stylistic developments from Julio-Claudians to Severans

8.1 Greco-Roman portraiture in Egypt

8.2 Palmyrene funerary portraiture

8.3 Romano-British and Gallo-Roman portrait styles

9.3 Roman biography: Nepos to the Historia Augusta

9.2 Greek biographical traditions: Xenophon to Diogenes Laertius

9.1 Origins and development of ancient biography

10.1 Structure and purpose of Parallel Lives

10.2 Plutarch's biographical method and sources

10.3 Moral and ethical dimensions in Plutarch's portrayal

11.1 Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars: Structure and style

11.2 Sources and reliability of Suetonius' accounts

11.3 Imperial character and anecdote in Suetonius

12.2 Iconography and symbolism in numismatic portraits

12.1 Development of portrait coinage in the ancient world

12.3 Coins as tools of political propaganda and communication

13.3 Tomb paintings and funerary reliefs

13.2 Etruscan and Roman sarcophagus portraiture

13.1 Egyptian mummy portraits: Fayum and beyond

14.1 Comparative analysis of visual and textual representations

14.3 Legacy of ancient portraiture and biography in later periods

14.2 Reception and reinterpretation of ancient portraits

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