Eighth Graders Recreate Ancient Roman Art in Latin Class

Eighth graders at Bronxville Middle School creatively designed their own Roman wall paintings as a culminating project in their teacher Denise Flood’s Latin classes. With a deep understanding of the historical context, artistic techniques and themes of ancient Roman wall paintings, the students were challenged to use an ancient wall painting as an inspiration to create their own original version. 

Throughout the process, they analyzed the techniques used, including color and composition, and incorporated elements inspired by Roman art. In their paintings, the students depicted one of four styles, which included either vibrant colors and imitation of marble, architectural elements and the use of perspective to create a sense of depth, geometric patterns and stylized figures, or a combination of styles that features mythological scenes. 

“The main purpose of the Roman wall painting project was to provide students with a hands-on, creative experience to deepen their understanding of Roman art and culture,” Flood said. “It also provided them with an opportunity to synthesize their learning and demonstrate their understanding of the decorative styles of Roman houses.”

The eighth graders presented their wall paintings to their classmates, wrote an artist’s statement to reflect on the experience, and created a digital site to showcase their work online. Following this project, the students will delve deeper into specific aspects of Roman civilization, such as mythology and daily life. 

“The goal was for students to gain a deeper appreciation for Roman art and culture and understand that there is a connectedness between the ancient Romans and the modern world,” Flood said. “They will also recognize the influence of Roman art on later artistic movements and styles.”