The Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) is launching 'Ancient Splendor: Roman Art in the Time of Trajan,' a major exhibition featuring approximately 160 artifacts including imperial portraiture, mosaics, jewelry, and frescoes. Curated by Lucrezia Ungaro and Hannah Segrave, the show utilizes theatrical design and sensory elements like scents to immerse visitors in the Roman world. The exhibition is bolstered by significant loans from prestigious Italian institutions, including the Vatican Museums and the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
This exhibition is notable for bringing several high-profile Roman antiquities to the United States for the first time. The collaboration involved extensive conservation efforts, such as the restoration of a colossal bust of Plotina, highlighting the technical exchange between American and Italian institutions. By focusing on the era of Trajan, the show bridges the gap between imperial propaganda and the daily realities of Roman citizens, offering a fresh perspective on classical antiquity through modern curation.