Reception theory and Roman sculpture

Jennifer Trimble, Stanford University

This paper considers four approaches to viewing and reception in relation to recent
studies of Roman sculpture: historical reception as represented by Hans Robert
Jauss, reception aesthetics as formulated by Wolfgang Iser, social historical studies
of art, and approaches that focus on the power of images and viewers responses to
that power. One goal is to show how different research questions involve different
methods, focus on different evidence, and produce different results. Another goal is
to argue that, although the historical/contextual study of Roman art has dominated
the field since the 1970s and 80s, productive alternatives have also emerged.

Vocabulary : aesthetics
Content
Purpose : The girl is to show how different research questions involve different
methods, focus on different evidence, and produce different results. Another goal is
to argue that, although the historical study of Roman art has dominated the field
since the 1970s and 80s, productive alternatives have also emerged.
How to? : This paper considers four approaches to viewing and reception in relation
to recent studies of Roman sculpture
Result : -
Use of Result : To understand that different research questions affect different methods
and results.