Gabriella Gonzalez
Prof. Bebhinn Dungan
Art & History: Essay 1
February 14, 2016
Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius Throughout art history there have been and endless amount of paintings, architecture and sculptures which symbolize each era, civilization and culture. The last few chapters have exposed us to eighteenth and nineteenth century art and history in Greece and Roman culture. Roman artists carried on the legacy left by artists of the Greeks; which gave them the groundwork to adapt new techniques joined with old. The piece which I chose is “Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius”, Rome,Italy ca.175 CE (Kleiner 113), I found this piece to be one which embodies Roman culture, and the majestic power of the emperor. Marcus Aurelius …show more content…
This sculpture depicts the major influences and power which Marcus Aurelius had throughout his time as emperor “The statute expresses the majestic power of the Roman emperor as ruler of the whole world” (Kleiner, 112). It has been said, throughout history not much is known about this sculpture, such as who, what, when and why it was created. However the sculpture has been said that it has suffered damage due to preservations throughout time “corrosion had obscured the “fine detail” of the statue, causing many to believe that it was of mediocre quality. After the restoration occurred, it allowed historians to place the statue in the years 160 – 176 AD” (Vaccaro). This statue is ought to be a significant object for the study of Roman portraiture, but also for monumental dedications. The Equestrian statute of Marcus Aurelius, stands 11’6” high, its perspective is 3 dimensional and it is made of bronze “This piece most majestic surviving portrait of Roman emperor is the larger than life size ...” (Kleiner, 112). This monuments depicts the influence of Marcus as great emperor “He stretches his right arm in gesture that is both a greeting and an offer of clemency” (Kleiner, 112). The composition and form of the horse’s leg lifted symbolizing the power he had before the enemies “an enemy once cowered, begging for mercy” (Kleinfeld,
Prof. Bebhinn Dungan
Art & History: Essay 1
February 14, 2016
Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius Throughout art history there have been and endless amount of paintings, architecture and sculptures which symbolize each era, civilization and culture. The last few chapters have exposed us to eighteenth and nineteenth century art and history in Greece and Roman culture. Roman artists carried on the legacy left by artists of the Greeks; which gave them the groundwork to adapt new techniques joined with old. The piece which I chose is “Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius”, Rome,Italy ca.175 CE (Kleiner 113), I found this piece to be one which embodies Roman culture, and the majestic power of the emperor. Marcus Aurelius …show more content…
This sculpture depicts the major influences and power which Marcus Aurelius had throughout his time as emperor “The statute expresses the majestic power of the Roman emperor as ruler of the whole world” (Kleiner, 112). It has been said, throughout history not much is known about this sculpture, such as who, what, when and why it was created. However the sculpture has been said that it has suffered damage due to preservations throughout time “corrosion had obscured the “fine detail” of the statue, causing many to believe that it was of mediocre quality. After the restoration occurred, it allowed historians to place the statue in the years 160 – 176 AD” (Vaccaro). This statue is ought to be a significant object for the study of Roman portraiture, but also for monumental dedications. The Equestrian statute of Marcus Aurelius, stands 11’6” high, its perspective is 3 dimensional and it is made of bronze “This piece most majestic surviving portrait of Roman emperor is the larger than life size ...” (Kleiner, 112). This monuments depicts the influence of Marcus as great emperor “He stretches his right arm in gesture that is both a greeting and an offer of clemency” (Kleiner, 112). The composition and form of the horse’s leg lifted symbolizing the power he had before the enemies “an enemy once cowered, begging for mercy” (Kleinfeld,