What was the main purpose of Roman art?

The main purpose of Roman art was to pay tribute to prominent figures. Often, individuals depicted in artwork were high-ranking citizens, such as emperors, philosophers, military heroes and members of the Senate. In other cases, Roman artists produced artwork to show respect for their gods in hopes of gaining their favor. Shop a large collection of art on 1stDibs.

Ancient Roman Art

Sphinx - Ancient Roman Art - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$363

Sphinx - Ancient Roman Art - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Sphinx - Ancient Roman Art, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Diana Goddess - Ancient Roman Art - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$556

Diana Goddess - Ancient Roman Art - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Diana Goddess - Ancient Roman Art, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Vincenzo CampanaAthena Goddess Armed-Ancient Roman Art-Etching by Vincenzo Campana-18th Century, 18th Century

$389Sale Price|30% Off

Athena Goddess Armed-Ancient Roman Art-Etching by Vincenzo Campana-18th Century

By Vincenzo Campana

Located in Roma, IT

Athena Goddess Armed - Ancient Roman Art, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Vincenzo CampanaApollo Deity-Ancient Roman Art-Original etching by Vincenzo Campana-18th Century, 18th Century

$363

Apollo Deity-Ancient Roman Art-Original etching by Vincenzo Campana-18th Century

By Vincenzo Campana

Located in Roma, IT

Apollo Deity - Ancient Roman Art, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Military Bronze Stag And Eagle 1st-2nd century AD Guarantee Rare

$5,500

Ancient Roman Military Bronze Stag And Eagle 1st-2nd century AD Guarantee Rare

Located in New York, NY

ancient Roman art. Its provenance, traced back to a private collection in NYC and acquired in the 1990s

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Figurines and S...

Materials

Bronze

Armando BurattiRome, Arch of Titus - Etching by Armando Buratti - 1967, 1967

$435

Rome, Arch of Titus - Etching by Armando Buratti - 1967

By Armando Buratti

Located in Roma, IT

Capitolini in Rome. Titus Arch is a triumphal arch, wonderful masterwork of the ancient roman art, located

Category

1960s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Marble Torso of Marsyas

$85,000

Ancient Roman Marble Torso of Marsyas

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This striking Roman Marble torso belongs most assuredly the Mythological Satyr Marsyas. The

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Ancient Roman Stele Relief Fragment

$74,500

Ancient Roman Stele Relief Fragment

Located in New Orleans, LA

Ancient Roman Stele Relief Fragment Circa 1st Century BCE–1st Century CE This rare marble stele

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greco Roman Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Ancient Roman Marble Inscribed Panel

$60,000

Ancient Roman Marble Inscribed Panel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

possibly a freedman of a Roman named Caius Geminius, with the cognomen Apseustus having been his slave-name

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Testa di Toro Minoico Sculpture

$4,612 / item

Testa di Toro Minoico Sculpture

By Raffaello Romanelli

Located in Milan, IT

Symbol of strength and vitality, the bull is a renowned symbol in ancient Roman art. Bold and

Category

2010s Italian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Ancient Roman Bronze Handle or Artifact

$950

Ancient Roman Bronze Handle or Artifact

Located in Philadelphia, PA

An antique or ancient Roman bronze element. This piece was an element of a vase or possibly

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

Ancient Roman Marble Mosaic Panel of Eros

$45,000

Ancient Roman Marble Mosaic Panel of Eros

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This superb marble mosaic is a Roman original from the 3rd to 4th Century AD. It features a winged

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Lebanese Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Marble

ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF FRAGMENT, 1st Century b.C.

$15,125

ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF FRAGMENT

Located in Milan, IT

ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF FRAGMENT Rome, 1st Century b.C. marble 23 x 15 x 5 cm without base 9 x

Category

15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Ancient Roman Marble Mosaic Panel Depicting a Deer

$60,000

Ancient Roman Marble Mosaic Panel Depicting a Deer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wonderfully charismatic and of imposing size, this ancient Roman mosaic depicts a deer with head

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Lebanese Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Marco Silombria Swimmer in the Jump with the Kitten by Marco Silombria. Italian Pop art

$435Sale Price|20% Off

Swimmer in the Jump with the Kitten by Marco Silombria. Italian Pop art

Located in Firenze, IT

themes of classical Ancient roman art. His first steps in 1950-es was done with famous artists such as

Category

1980s Pop Art Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Wax Crayon, Mixed Media, Gouache, Color Pencil

Ancient, Roman Marble Bust of a Boy, 5th Century, C.E.

$22,750

Ancient, Roman Marble Bust of a Boy

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Sensitively carved, solid marble bust of a young boy mounted on a custom, Lucite base. Carved fully in the round, though originally the figure was part of a larger group. Acquired di...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

18th Century Italian Hand Colored Engraving of Frescoes Excavated at Pompeii

$2,800

18th Century Italian Hand Colored Engraving of Frescoes Excavated at Pompeii

Located in Stamford, CT

great interest in the ancient Roman art discovered with the excavation of the ancient cities of Pompeii

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Carlo OratijAncient Roman Labyrinth - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$458

Ancient Roman Labyrinth - Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Fresco from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Carlo OratijAncient Roman Monuments - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$482

Ancient Roman Monuments - Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Fresco from Herculaneum from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Niccolò VanniAncient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$338

Ancient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Niccolò VanniAncient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$338

Ancient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ferdinando StrinaAncient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$338

Ancient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Isidoro FrezzaAncient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$363

Ancient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Francesco CepparuliAncient Roman Landscape - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$254Sale Price|25% Off

Ancient Roman Landscape - Etching - 18th Century

By Francesco Cepparuli

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Landscape from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Giovanni Elia MorghenAncient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$363

Ancient Roman Scene - Etching - 18th Century

By Giovanni Elia Morghen

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Statues - Etching - 18th century, 18th Century

$774

Ancient Roman Statues - Etching - 18th century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Statues - Original Etching - 1700s, Late 18th Century

$968

Ancient Roman Statues - Original Etching - 1700s

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

ANCIENT ROMAN RED JASPER APPLIQUE OF TRAGIC ACTOR, Rome, 1st Century A.D.

$18,755

ANCIENT ROMAN RED JASPER APPLIQUE OF TRAGIC ACTOR

Located in Milan, IT

ROMAN RED JASPER APPLIQUE OF TRAGIC ACTOR Rome, 1st Century A.D. 5.5 x 4.2 cm the mask 2 1/4 x 1 3

Category

15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Ancient Roman Marble Altar Fragment with Cupid, Roman Empire, 2nd/3rd Century AD, 2nd/3rd Century A.D

$14,520

Ancient Roman Marble Altar Fragment with Cupid, Roman Empire, 2nd/3rd Century AD

Located in Milan, IT

Roman marble altar fragment with cupid Provenance: Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and

Category

15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

19th Century, Grand Tour Roman Revival Amphora Style Vase After Thomas Hope

$780Sale Price|20% Off

19th Century, Grand Tour Roman Revival Amphora Style Vase After Thomas Hope

Located in Atlanta, GA

artistic and cultural mementos from their travels, this vase reflects a fascination with ancient Roman art

Category

Antique 19th Century British Neoclassical Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Various ArtistsUses and Customs - Ancient Romans - Lithograph - 1862, 1862

$181

Uses and Customs - Ancient Romans - Lithograph - 1862

Located in Roma, IT

Uses and Customs - Ancient Romans is a lithograph on paper realized in 1862. The artwork belongs

Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

EMPEROR DOMITIAN Ancient Roman Coin 1st Cent. AD Silver Keychain

$1,923

EMPEROR DOMITIAN Ancient Roman Coin 1st Cent. AD Silver Keychain

Located in Roma, IT

This sterling silver keychain proudly holds an authentic Roman bronze coin from the 1st century AD

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman More Objets d'A...

Materials

Silver

Ancient Roman Busts - Etching - Late 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$363

Ancient Roman Busts - Etching - Late 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Busts from the Series "Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed", original etching from the

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Carlo OratijAncient Roman Fresco Herculaneum - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$411

Ancient Roman Fresco Herculaneum - Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Fernando StrinaAncient Roman Scene - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$363

Ancient Roman Scene - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Niccolò VanniAncient Roman Scene - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$363

Ancient Roman Scene - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Giovanni Elia MorghenAncient Roman Scene - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$338

Ancient Roman Scene - Original Etching - 18th Century

By Giovanni Elia Morghen

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Scene from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Vincenzo CampanaAncient Roman Fresco Herculaneum - Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$490Sale Price|25% Off

Ancient Roman Fresco Herculaneum - Etching - 18th Century

By Vincenzo Campana

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Statues from Herculaneum from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Vincenzo CampanaAncient Roman Fresco Herculaneum - OEtching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$544

Ancient Roman Fresco Herculaneum - OEtching - 18th Century

By Vincenzo Campana

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Statue from Herculaneum from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$272Sale Price|25% Off

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$272Sale Price|25% Off

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Bust - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$278

Ancient Roman Bust - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Bust, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Busts - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$194Sale Price|30% Off

Ancient Roman Busts - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Busts, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Fresco - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$194Sale Price|30% Off

Ancient Roman Fresco - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Fresco, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

18th Century Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Fresco - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$194Sale Price|30% Off

Ancient Roman Fresco - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Fresco, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

18th Century Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Fresco - Original Etching - 18th Century, 18th Century

$166Sale Price|40% Off

Ancient Roman Fresco - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Fresco from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Relief, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Relief, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Bust - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$556

Ancient Roman Bust - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Bust, original etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Bust - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$556

Ancient Roman Bust - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Bust, original etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Relief, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Relief, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Relief, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Relief - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Relief, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century, Late 18th Century

$242

Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching - 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper

Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

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Ancient Roman Art For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact piece of ancient roman art you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. You can easily find an example made in the Contemporary style, while we also have 7 Contemporary versions to choose from as well. If you’re looking for an item from our selection of ancient roman art from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Adding a choice in our collection of ancient roman art to a room that is mostly decorated in warm neutral tones can yield a welcome change — find a piece on 1stDibs that incorporates elements of gray, blue, beige, brown and more. An object in our assortment of ancient roman art from Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Carol Pylant, Kind of Cyan and Mario Puppo — each of whom created distinctive versions of this kind of work — is worth considering. These artworks were handmade with extraordinary care, with artists most often working in etching, paint and oil paint.

How Much is a Ancient Roman Art?

The price for a piece of ancient roman art in our collection starts at $180 and tops out at $170,000 with the average selling for $2,975.

Questions About Ancient Roman Art

What was the main purpose of Roman art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
The main purpose of Roman art was to pay tribute to prominent figures. Often, individuals depicted in artwork were high-ranking citizens, such as emperors, philosophers, military heroes and members of the Senate. In other cases, Roman artists produced artwork to show respect for their gods in hopes of gaining their favor. Shop a large collection of art on 1stDibs.

Revisiting Robert Rauschenberg’s Creative Rebellion on His 100th Birthday

A planet-wide celebration feels fitting for an artist who saw connections everywhere: between paint and photography, art and life, self and surroundings.