Tracey Reeves

Contact

• workRoom B37 Archaeology and Classics Building
  University Park
  Nottingham
  NG7 2RD
  UK
• work0115 951 4800
• fax0115 951 4811
• abxtr1@nottingham.ac.uk

Research Summary

My studies are based in the area of visual culture, particularly Roman portrait sculpture of elite and non elite subjects from the early to mid Roman Empire, outside of Rome. At the moment I am… read more

Current Research

My studies are based in the area of visual culture, particularly Roman portrait sculpture of elite and non elite subjects from the early to mid Roman Empire, outside of Rome. At the moment I am studying the rich source of statuary from Aphrodisias in Asia minor. The unique and abundant material from this town is of the highest quality and can give insight into the motives behind its meaning and function. In particular, women are well represented in statues, and I hope to offer fresh insight into what this artform can reveal about the values and culture of the people portrayed and honoured by the portraits.

Past Research

For my MA dissertation, I studied the art of death. The second century reclining sculpted portrait of a priest of Cybele from a tomb in Ostia was the basis for a study of the use of portrait art in the context of the tomb. The adoption of the necropolis as a platform to display the image of loved ones by the non elite, denied as they were the privelege of displaying such images within the public spaces of the city, and the inclusion of meaningful attributes and imagery and the manipulation of existing styles, created a new and important genre of Roman art.