Artists, like writers and social activists, are affected by their surroundings. Therefore, the work that they produce is also extremely affected by the existing society. Political, moral, economical, and religious views of a period are frequently themes in artwork, whether they are symbolic or obvious. The styling and technique that is used depicts and is a result of the ongoing era. When thematic issues and styles undergo drastic transformations, it can be understood that it is a result from the changing times and situations.
The artistic changes in time the Western Society from Roman times to the time of Carolingian Empire are no exception. These creative differences that occurred during such times make it effortless to notice and understand the changes that were taking place. As a result, the alterations in society can be understood from the Roman Empire to the time of Charlemagne, just by observing some of the artwork from these times The Roman Empire was a definite milestone for the advancement of knowledge and civilization.
Map of the "barbarian" invasions of the Roman Empi...
The territorial development of the Roman state.
Augustus of Prima Porta, statue of the emperor Aug...The historian Edward Gibbon in his classic book The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire declared that Rome had at last experienced a "period the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous." At this time, he continues, "the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth and the most civilized portion of mankind." This favorable state of affairs he attributed to the Romans' genius for law and order, their cultivation of tolerance and justice, and their capacity for wise government (Fleming, 95-96).
Such feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction that were present during this time were so evident in many artworks. The art of this era was majestic, romanticized, and idealistic. The Romans wanted to celebrate the magnificent Empire by...