Event Details
Roman Remains 2
Today we will look at two stone statues from the Naples Museum of Archaeology.
On the left is a beautiful “herm” (bust) of Zeus-Amun or Ammon, with its ram horns. I have only just learned that ammonites, which I studied as an undergrad geologist, derive their name from Ammon and its curly horns. This herm was unearthed at Herculaneum and dates to the first century AD.
The subject is a great exercise in accurate drawing and in the depiction of light, using a yellow or yellow ochre colour.
On the right is a really beautiful bronze bust of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Pontifex, who died nearly fifty years before the explosion at Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD79.
When I passed this bust along with all the others in the row, something about it stopped me in my tracks. Despite two black, empty orbs for eyes, there was something spine-tinglingly lifelike about this portrait. You can see the ridges on his nose (broken?) and the thin lips with the dimpled chin beneath. You can even see pores and stubble – I have no idea how these busts were produced, but I wonder if a cast were used.
Our task will be to explore how the discreet use of a sketching kit can help us achieve a nice result in a museum.
We will use:
- One colour only
- White paper for light
- Accuracte drawing technique
Please keep an eye out for time changes, as it might move to a later time. Recording will be sent after class.
See you then!
Róisín
