Art in Roman Britain
Mosaics
- Mosaic pavements most tangible and spectacular remains of Roman occupation
- Already ancient craft at time of conquest
- Practice introduced by the Romans
- Soon after conquest imported mosaicists working in Britain
- Over next three centuries distinctive style developed in Britain
- Polychrome
- Classical style
- Inspiration
- Themes
- Obsession with order
- Rigid hierarchy of composition
- Conservative repertories
- Celtic art had little effect on traditions
- Over 1,100 mosaics discovered
- Complete or in fragments
- Most now destroyed
- Number are inaccessible
- Historical development
- Earliest mosaics appear in 1st century CE
- Fortress at Exeter
- Fishbourne: Black and white mosaic
- Increased use during 2nd century
- New cosmopolitan outlook increased demand
- Newly rich class wanted Roman comforts
- New schools of mosaicists (officinae) appeared
- Schools differed from one another, each with its own repertoire of designs
- Typical British style lacked formal background for figures
- Fishbourne remodeled at this time: cupid mosaic
- 3rd century
- See a decline in the craft after 200 CE
- Between 230 and 270 CE no identifiable mosaics
- 4th century
- Revival in the production of mosaics
- Many villas remodeled at this time
- Change in style: most mosaics are now figural
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