Realism

Realism

Popular with the Patricians (upper class), realism developed from the Italian custom of ancesteral masks. Realism became a way of showing admiration and respect for civic leaders and statesmen. These men were labelled as wise and intelligent. Towards the end of the Roman Empire facial realism became more expressive and less documentary in reflection of the political instability and internal conflicts which existed. [MH] {NR}